According to rumours, Chelsea has been given the chance to buy Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer. Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are expected to leave on free transfers, meaning the Blues will need to sign at least one new centre-back.
Koulibaly has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time. The Senegal international has been with Napoli since 2014, but there has been ongoing talk about his future with the Serie A side in recent years.
AreaNapoli, an Italian publication.
Fali Ramadani, the player’s agent, is said to be trying one more time to gain his client a move elsewhere. Koulibaly’s current deal runs out in 2023, so this summer is Napoli’s final chance to fetch a decent price for him.
According to the story, he has proposed to Chelsea. Rudiger and Christensen will both leave when their contracts expire.
Rudiger will join El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, while Christensen will join Barcelona. According to the article, Chelsea would have no trouble paying Koulibaly the money he demands.
Napoli and Ramadani are seeking for a sum of roughly £29.95 million (€35 million). The agency is thought to be in communication with Paris Saint-Germain and another undisclosed English team.
If no team wants to sign Koulibaly this summer, he will not seek a transfer. If that is the case, he would almost certainly sign a new deal with Napoli to finish his career there.
Despite the departures of Rudiger and Christensen, Chelsea still has a variety of defensive alternatives. The contracts of Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta have another year left on them.
Trevoh Chalobah has excelled at times this season, and Malang Sarr gives Thomas Tuchel a left-footed alternative. Tuchel couldn’t disguise his feelings after learning about Rudiger’s departure.
He said: “I don’t believe anybody likes it. In the dressing room, he inspires confidence in everyone.
“He is a one-of-a-kind character who performs at a high level. He likes responsibilities and occasionally draws attention to himself.
“This choice is unpopular, but we must accept it. Whether you like it or not, there will be life after Toni at Chelsea. For us, the most important thing is that it concludes on a high note, just as it began.”
