Transfer News: Chelsea are set to battle it out for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
According to The Byline (h/t football.london), Former Chelsea player, Demba Ba has urged new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to sign Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer transfer window. With his contract at Napoli set to expire in 2023, the defender has been extensively linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
This season, Koulibaly has played 25 times for Luciano Spalletti’s team in Serie A, helping the Gli Azzurri to mount a title challenge. Napoli now have the second-best defensive record in the league, trailing only AC Milan, who have a game in hand.
The Senegal international is valued at €35 million (£29.8 million), a decent amount for a defender who is now 30. One of the best defenders of his era, Koulibaly is certainly a proven talent at the top level.
Chelsea isn’t the only team interested in signing this 30-year-old Senegalese international. Many European clubs are keen, notably Barcelona, but Ba expects Chelsea must beat Barcelona and get him this summer.
“One hundred per cent. One thousand per cent,” the former Blues striker replied when asked if he’d like to see his former side sign Koulibaly. “He has that stature. He can support pressure, bear in mind he plays for Senegal and plays for Napoli. He can handle the pressure. He’s good as a football player and a top lad.”
He is regarded as one of the finest defenders in Serie A and can certainly help reinforce Chelsea’s defence, which looked vulnerable against Wolves at home. He will also be a good replacement for Rudiger as it was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano that the German has reached an agreement with Real Madrid.
He was a key figure in Senegal’s African Cup of Nations victory, and his expertise is exactly what Chelsea requires right now. We need players who can be disciplined in the back and follow the coach’s instructions, and we can expect that from an experienced player like him.
With Barcelona also in the race to sign the Napoli defender, Chelsea need to act quick and seal the deal. But this is only possible after the Uk government relaxes the sanctions imposed on the club.
According to a statement released by Chelsea, the takeover is expected to be finalised by May and Koulibaly will most likely be ready to wait until then. Koulibaly’s agent has already expressed his client’s interest in moving to Stamford Bridge, believing that the new owners will be willing to pay the price to strengthen the team this summer.
We expect this deal to happen as soon as the buyout is completed, given we have already missed out on numerous significant signings owing to sanctions. This will also be a first step in tightening the defence and having an experienced candidate like him on board will be beneficial.
Chelsea recently loaned Jadon Sancho on a season long load deal from Manchester United. (with an obligation to buy)
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