Koulibaly tipped to stay at Napoli as nervous Gattuso waits for transfer window to close

Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli believes star defender Kalidou Koulibaly will remain at the Serie A club, despite links to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Koulibaly had been strongly linked with Premier League giants City but Pep Guardiola's side agreed a deal to sign Benfica centre-back Ruben Dias on Sunday.

Ligue 1 champions PSG are also reportedly interested following Thiago Silva's departure, while the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked previously.

Asked about Koulibaly prior to Sunday's 6-0 demolition of Genoa, Giuntoli told Sky Sport Italia: "The team was completed in January with Stanislav Lobotka and Diego Demme, who can play in a few different roles. With Amir Rrahmani, [Victor] Osimhen and [Andrea] Petagna, we are complete, so will now try to release players who won't have much time on the pitch.

"I think Koulibaly is staying, we are very happy and so is he. I believe that he is staying."

90 | It's all over here - a big win for our boys!!#NapoliGenoa 6-0 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/XWFWIyOZi0

— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) September 27, 2020

Koulibaly helped keep a clean sheet as high-flying Napoli preserved their perfect start to the season against Genoa.

Napoli are yet to concede in two Serie A fixtures this season, while scoring eight goals to top the standings.

Gennaro Gattuso was also quizzed on Koulibaly following Giuntoli's comments and the Napoli head coach told Sky Sport Italia post-match: "I hope he remains with us, selfishly speaking, because he gives us so much both in technical terms and as a character.

2 partite. 6 punti. 8 gol fatti. 0 subiti: non male 2 matchs. 6 points. 8 buts marqués. 0 buts encaissés: pas mal 2 games. 6 points. 8 goals scored. 0 goals conceded: not bad #NapoliGenoa 6-0 #SerieA #KK #ForzaNapoliSempre #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/CKhRWh8BxW

— Koulibaly Kalidou (@kkoulibaly26) September 27, 2020

"The world has changed because of the pandemic and I realise all clubs need to balance the books. I hope the call won't arrive, but I'll be nervous about it until transfer deadline day."

Senegal international Koulibaly has called Napoli home since arriving from Genk in 2014.

The 29-year-old was instrumental as Napoli claimed the Coppa Italia title last season – the club's first piece of silverware since 2014.