MANCHESTER CITY duo Nicolas Otamendi and Oleksandr Zinchenko could be used in a sensational swap deal with Napoli for Kalidou Koulibaly.
The City defenders have been bit-part players in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI at times this campaign as their title challenge faltered.
Man City could swap two of their star players with Napoli for Kalidou Koulibaly
Centre-back Nicolas Otamendi is one of the players the club could include in the deal
Ukrainian left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is a player the Serie A side like
The former Premier League champions are interested in bringing in a centre-back, and scouts have kept an eye on the 29-year-old Senegal ace.
It is understood Napoli have already been in contact with City over the availability of both Otamendi and Zinchenko.
And that could pave the way for them to be used as part of a £65million-plus swoop for Koulibaly, regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe.
The Italian club have demanded £80m for one of their star men since last summer, after interest from across Europe.
Manchester United along with Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have all made contact to check on his availability.
City feel he would be a solid replacement for John Stones, who is expected to quit the dethroned Premier League champions.
However, Etihad chiefs feel the price being asked is steep, and will try and bring that down by offering players in exchange.
Napoli have looked at bringing Otamendi, 32, in for a while now and see him as a solid replacement if they were to lose Koulibaly.
The Argentine has just one-year left on his contract, and it is understood he will not be offered fresh terms.
The Italians tried to sign 23-year-old Zinchenko last summer, but he wanted to stay and fight for his place.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
