Sokratis’ move to Napoli still depends on Manchester City submitting a suitable offer for Kalidou Koulibaly with things likely to go down to the last day but if that doesn’t happen, Nice are waiting in the wings.

Manchester City have already submitted one offer for Koulibaly which was rejected and they are now keeping the Italian side waiting. It’s a classic Pep ploy. He used it to try and land Alexis Sanchez on the cheap and probably played a massive role in the Chilean’s downturn in form.

It was well known that City wanted Alexis and Alexis wanted to go there but no bid arrived. Until the last day, that is, when, knowing Alexis was unsettled, City put in a lowball offer that Arsenal rejected because it was A. Insulting and B. Left no time to get a replacement.

City didn’t get their player, Alexis didn’t get his move and Arsenal were left with a giant manbaby that, to be fair, Manchester United had to deal with more than us.

With Koulibaly it looks like they could be trying the same tactic.

Arsenal and Napoli have had an agreement for the transfer of Sokratis for a while but it has always been dependent on Koulibaly leaving.

Rai Sport journalist Ciro Venerato, who has been on top of this story from early on, spoke to Kiss Kiss Napoli. He said: “Satisfactory offers have not arrived for [Koulibaly].

“The club have locked Sokratis, but Nice also requested him. We will see what happens in the next few days. If Napoli sell Kalidou Koulibaly on October 4th, they can send a certified e-mail the morning of the 5th to Arsenal since everything is already done for the purchase of the Greek”.

I would fully expect City to move on the 5th, if they can, which leaves Arsenal and Sokratis in something of a pickle.

Nice are also interested in signing the Greek defender but it seems, despite saying a few days ago he would give Napoli a few more days, he wants to go to Italy rather than France.

Sokratis is out of contract next summer.