According to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly is closing in on the move to Chelsea in the transfer window. Chelsea has reportedly offered Napoli £53m to sign defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer after failing to sign a centre-back last year. According to Corriere Dello Sport, Chelsea could mark more than one centre-back this summer, with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly speculated to be one of the players on the move. According to famous Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Chelsea directly contacts Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly’s agent to sign him from Napoli this summer.
Napoli defender Kalidou Culiabri is likely to be Chelsea’s second new signing of Todd Boehly in the club’s first summer since the takeover was completed earlier this year. Chelsea needs an overhaul of their defence this summer following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, with Thomas Tuchel believed to have approved Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly’s signing. Thomas Tuchels would be ideal to sign three new defenders this summer, with co-owner Todd Boehly already in talks with Napoli over Kalidou Koulibaly, and Chelsea still wants to sign Nathan Ake as their second defender.
Meanwhile, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says the signing will be announced in the coming days. Kalidou Koulibaly is ready to sign a five-year deal to see him receive €10m (roughly 8.4 m PS). The Senegalese international is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in world football. He can finally head to the Premier League. If Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly moves to Chelsea, he will play alongside veteran Brazilian Thiago Silva and teammate Edouard Mendy, known as one of the best goalkeepers of recent seasons.
The Senegal international is expected to fly to Los Angeles soon to undergo his medical before joining the Chelsea squad on their pre-season tour. Despite speculations to the contrary, Koulibaly is scheduled to fly to England this evening before beginning the first round of his medical. Koulibaly, whose contract with Napoli expires in a year, appeared 27 times for Luciano Spalletti‘s side in Serie A last year, helping Gli Azzurri to a championship drive. He’s a brilliant defender who contributed significantly to the Italian giants’ remarkable defensive record.
Chelsea completed the acquisition of England striker Raheem Sterling from Manchester City in a £50 million deal earlier on Wednesday. Koulibaly, who had been linked with several Premier League teams, joined Napoli from Genk in 2014 and has made 317 appearances for the Italian club. Chelsea is now working at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Koulibaly will make the squad in either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
