Chelsea are keen on signing central defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli as the Senegalese defender’s agent has reportedly had discussions with the London club.
The 28-year-old has been a bedrock of Napoli’s defence and has been at the club since 2014, and has been linked with a move quite a few time in the last year or so.
As per Corriere del Mezzogiorno (via Daily Star), the experienced centre-back is a target for Chelsea as well as Tottenham.
The defender’s agent has spoken with both clubs and a deal could be struck to bring him to England for a fee of around £100 million.
Koulibaly has been one of the best defenders in the world over the last few seasons which has attracted interest from teams all over Europe.
The defender, who has made over 230 appearances for the Italian club, has three years remaining on his current deal at Naples. The internal strife at the Italian club could result in several players leaving, including Koulibaly.
Kalidou Koulibaly – The perfect defender for Lampard?
Chelsea, under Frank Lampard, have been an exciting team to watch as their young attackers have impressed, while the midfield has clicked as well. But, the Blues have struggled over the last few games and it seems like fatigue has caught up to them, as well as the lack of new ideas.
The London club will have to refresh their squad in the next few transfer windows, and one area that they need strengthening is central defence.
Chelsea have conceded 29 goals in 21 games in the league season, which is not a good defensive record for a club hoping to finish in the top four.
Antonio Rudiger’s injury had left him out for a long time, and the Blues struggled without him at the back, as the likes of Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori have been inconsistent.
Koulibaly could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea, one that could add leadership, strength, and composure at the back.
He is a fantastic defender who is quick and strong, while also having the ability to pass the ball from the back which will suit Frank Lampard’s style of play.
He is a defender that would have a huge impact at Chelsea, perhaps as big an impact as Virgil van Dijk had at Liverpool. Koulibaly is one of the best in the world and Lampard should do everything in his powers to sign him.