Transfer News: Chelsea are set to battle it out for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly
According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are set to battle it out with Barcelona for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer transfer window.
The former Genk man joined Napoli in 2014 and has been at the Serie A club for eight seasons now going on to establish himself as one of the best defenders in the world. Constantly linked with a move away from the Italian club, a transfer has actually not materialised for the Senegalese international yet.
The 30-year-old has had yet another great season at Naples leading his side to a third place finish in the top flight of the Italian league. Koulibaly has played 34 games for the Serie A club this season scoring three goals and providing three assists across all competitions.
Barcelona have also been linked with a move for the talented centre-back in the summer. If Chelsea are to pursue a deal for him, convincing Koulibaly to come to Stamford Bridge will not be an easy task at all.
A beast?
Anybody who has seen Koulibaly play in his career will know that he is a beast of a centre-back who is mostly a reliable player in defence. He could be just what the Blues need, given their impending rearguard exodus this summer.
Centre-backs are the need of the hour for Chelsea with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger definitely on their way out of the club. Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta is also contemplating an exit from Stamford Bridge and this will leave the Blues extremely understaffed in the defensive areas.
In Koulibaly, the Blues will be signing a player with a lot of experience. Eight years at a single club means the Senegalese is now a leader at Naples and a centre-back with leadership traits might be what Chelsea will want going into the new season.
With a club like Barcelona also in the mix, the Blues will definitely not have it easy in their pursuit of Koulibaly. His valuation is said to be around £34 million and with his contract expiring in 2023, the Senegalese could be available on a cut-price deal.
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Koulibaly will be a beast of a signing. It remains to be seen if the Blues land him but he’ll definitely be worth it if Chelsea pull it off.
