Manchester City respond to Napoli's request for goalkeeper with inaction - report

Like so many Italian clubs, Napoli are balking at the asking price of one of their primary targets, in this case highly-rated Real Sociedad goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, previously owned by Manchester City.

Napoli want City to use their €14million buy-back clause on Rulli to help avoid paying his €35million release clause at the Spanish club. Napoli would then take the 24-year-old on loan for the season before handing City an easy €3-€4million profit for their troubles.

Rulli, who recently refused an outright return to City his father has revealed, would initially fight for a place at the Stadio San Paolo, before replacing veteran Pepe Reina long-term between the sticks.

However, according to Spanish newspaper AS, nothing appears to be happening on the City side. They have until June 30 to exercise their option to re-purchase Rulli this year but have made no contact whatsoever with La Real bosses and time is almost up. Until 2019, the same conditions apply with a window between May 1 and June 30 that allows the Blues to exercise their option to sign Rulli.

This means that unless of any late movement, Rulli looks certain to remain at the Anoeta, despite Napoli’s push to recruit him. Of course things can change quickly in football, but as it stands, Napoli appear to have failed in pursuit of a goalkeeper who seems forever associated with Manchester City.