Chelsea are ‘very close’ to signing Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli this summer, according to reports in Italy, with Thomas Tuchel’s stance of a transfer revealed.
Defensive additions are being eyed by Chelsea after the exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, with up to three new names looking to be signed.
As reported by The Telegraph, Tuchel is not ready to sanction the exit of Cesar Azpilicueta until replacements are found and signed.
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Nathan Ake is expected to join from Man City, while Matt Law also reports that talks have been held over Matthijs de Ligt, Jules Kounde and Koulibaly.
As per reports in Italy, Koulibaly’s agent Fali Ramadani has met with Chelsea over a potential transfer, with a fee likely to be in the region of €40 million.
Koulibaly has one year left on his contract in Naples, and now it’s being reported by Fabrice Hawkins that the 31-year-old is ‘very close’ to making the switch to Stamford Bridge.
It’s claimed that the central defender could sign a three-year contract in west London, with a fee being around €40 million.
Nathan Gissing adds that Tuchel prefers Koulibaly, who is seen as an alternative to De Ligt, over Kounde who has been a long-term target of the club.
There is a feeling at Chelsea that De Ligt could be Bayern Munich-bound, leaving them in search of alternative options at the back to join their current backline.
Chelsea have been handed a boost after Napoli’s stance was also revealed, as reported by Alfredo Pedulla.
He claims that if Napoli are to allow Koulibaly to leave this summer, as of today, they would prefer to sell to Chelsea more than any other club.
Thomas Tuchel is set to be backed with up to six signings this summer, with the defence and attack eyed to improve.
Raheem Sterling is expected to be the first through the door, while his Man City teammate Nathan Ake could join him shortly after.
Which other defenders will head to Stamford Bridge remains unclear, but after talks between Koulibaly's camp and Chelsea this week, it appears a deal is heading in the right direction.
Chelsea are currently out in America for pre-season, training at the UCLA campus in Los Angeles before their three matches in the US get underway, starting this weekend in Las Vegas against Club America.
Sterling is likely to be confirmed before then, but will any other deals be agreed before then? Tuchel and co will be hoping so.
Topics: Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea, Napoli
Matthew Debono