Blues keen on centre-back Gimenez, but not at £78m!

CITY are interested in Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez, but have not made a £78m bid for the Uruguayan.

The Blues have made signing another centre-back a top priority before the transfer window closes on October 5 and with a deal for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly proving difficult, they are looking at alternative targets.

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has claimed his club rejected City’s £78m bid for Gimenez and stressed they do not wish to lose the player.

But M.E.N. Sport understands the Blues are yet to make a formal offer for Gimenez and while they are interested in the 25-year-old, they will not do business at £78m this summer.

“We did receive the offer,’ Cerezo told El Transistor. “But Gimenez is a magnificent player and we are interested in having magnificent players in the team.”

Gimenez is self-isolating in Spain having tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week.

He has made nearly 200 appearances for Atletico. City have already strengthened their defence this summer with the £41m deal for Nathan Ake, but Pep Guardiola wants further reinforcements before the window closes.

Ake partnered John Stones in City’s win at Wolves on Monday night but Aymeric Laporte is likely to return to take the left-sided role and a new addition could partner him in defence.

Koulibaly was initially seen as the top target but alternatives are now being considered. City have also looked at Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde as a potential option.