How should Manchester City proceed if Koulibaly falls through?

With inconsistent reports and the Kalidou Koulibaly transfer saga continuing to drag for Manchester City, supporters must prepare for the possibility that another defender may not be coming this window.

In the circus that is the world of transfer rumors, a rule of thumb is that the longer a saga drags on, the less likely it becomes that the player will join. In the case of Manchester City, the club have now had two major dragged-out transfer sagas with Aurelio De Laurentiis’ Napoli: first for Jorginho, who joined domestic rivals Chelsea in a shocking twist, and now Kalidou Koulibaly.

Given the extreme demands of Napoli’s chairman and City’s iron-clad desire to not pay above market value, any negotiation between the two clubs is like oil and water. Given how long the deal has gone on, and with little concrete progress with just a month left before the start of the new Premier League season, City must evaluate themselves as if Koulibaly will remain in Naples and that the squad is complete.

The first and most important question remains at center back. New signing Nathan Aké would seem the clear choice to slot in next to Aymeric Laporte, but given the fact that both Aké and Laporte are left-footed, it would be a slightly unnatural partnership. Therefore, if Eric García remains at the club for one more season before leaving for Barcelona on a free transfer, he and Aké should compete for the first-choice right sided position.

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I am not sure that a defense of this sort is of a high enough quality to unseat defending Premier League champions Liverpool, but it could very well be the reality that City face next year. If this scenario comes true, John Stones should remain at the club to try to find himself again, and Tosin Adarabioyo should be given an opportunity in the rotation. Nicolás Otamendi should be sold in any scenario, and I believe João Cancelo and Kyle Walker should be the fullbacks flanking the central defense.

In any case, Pep Guardiola must be consistent with the defense he selects; a major issue last season was the constant revolving door of defenders, hurting chemistry and communication at the back. I believe Aké and Laporte should be given the first opportunity, and they should be given ample opportunities to establish a connection before another option such as García or Stones is brought in.

This scenario may not come to pass at all, and City very well may complete the Koulibaly signing. The club are clearly interested, and where there is smoke there is usually fire. However, these long transfer sagas rarely end well, as there is usually something to hold up the deal. Therefore, City’s board, coaches, and players must prepare to put this team in the best position to contend even if there is no savior coming to the defense.