It looks like Liverpool are losing battle to sign Napoli’s star defender Kalidou Kouliably, as their rivals Manchester City have joined the party to land the Senegal international.

The 28-year-old is being rated as one of the best centre-backs in the world and there have been reports in the recent past that he will be allowed to leave the San Paolo Stadium in the summer if a sizeable offer arrives.

The Sunday Times reported that City are now leading the race to sign Koulibaly in the summer transfer window.

The Manchester-based club have struggled defensively in the ongoing campaign which is one of the primary reasons for their failure in the league where Liverpool are now on brink of clinching the title for the first time in 30 years.

Koulibaly has been with Napoli since summer 2014 when he moved from Belgian club KRC Genk for a reported transfer fee of €7.75 million.

Since then, the 28-year-old has represented his current club in 236 matches in all competitions where he has managed to score 10 goals and provided five assists.