The Citizens hand closed the door on their pursuit of the Napoli star by sealing a deal for the Portuguese centre back.

Manchester City have all but closed the chapter on their pursuit of Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly after completing a move for Benfica's Ruben Dias. The former Premier League champions have agreed €55m fee with the Eagles, with Nicolas Otamendi set to join the Portuguese outfit for a €15m fee as part of the deal.

Pep Guardiola's side had been working to secure the transfer of Koulibaly for the past two seasons but had been consistently put off by Napoli's valuation of the defender. The case has been no different this summer with the Serie A side slapping a €75m fee on the center back and refusing to make compromises despite the economic crisis brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

Discouraged by Koulibaly's price-tag, negotiations stalled between Manchester City and Napoli, with the former moving to explore the prospect of signing another centre back on their wishlist. The targets identified included Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez, Sevilla's Jules Kounde and Benfica's Ruben Dias, and it is the latter who looks set for a move to Etihad.

A report by the Guardian on Sunday revealed that Dias will complete a medical this week and will be unveiled as a City player after an agreement was reached with Benfica on a €55m fee. Nicolas Otamendi is expected to head in the opposite direction in a deal worth €15m. Meanwhile, the incomings and outgoings are expected to pave the way for Eric Garcia to seal his purported move to Barcelona.