Kalidou Koulibaly is closing in on a move to Chelsea from Napoli this summer, and will arrive at the club as one of their first two signings of the transfer window.
Before the market opened, it was clear to see that the club would need to bring in defensive recruitments amid the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
A number of names have been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge, but it seems as though the club are now closing in on one of their targets ahead of the new campaign.
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Raheem Sterling has been announced as their first addition of the summer, with the 27-year-old now in Los Angeles with his new teammates after making the switch from Manchester City.
"So glad to be a Chelsea player right now," said Sterling.
"Honestly can't wait to get started. And yeah, let's make history together."
However Koulibaly’s arrival is now thought to be close to becoming a reality as Thomas Tuchel’s side look to welcome another signing.
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Chelsea are set to complete a deal with Napoli for a fee of around €40 million, which includes add-ons.
The Senegal international will put pen to paper on a four-year-deal at his new club, leaving the Serie A outfit after eight seasons in Naples.
It was reported that Blues boss Tuchel was ‘driving and pushing’ Chelsea’s interest in the 31-year-old centre-back, a player who has been heavily linked with a move to west London for many years.
He will travel to the US to undergo his medical before a move is confirmed.
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His fellow Senegal teammate Edouard Mendy hinted about some of the club’s incoming arrivals amid the loss of Rudiger and Christensen.
The goalkeeper said: “We were happy with Toni, with Christensen, but I think we are more than happy with the defenders who will arrive for us.”
Koulibaly himself spoke on the proposed move to the Premier League, informing a reporter that a transfer was “on the right track”.
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He will leave Napoli with 317 appearances to his name for the club, scoring 14 goals and providing eight assists in all competitions.
Such a move will provide more experience to Chelsea’s backline ahead of the new season, adding to Thiago Silva’s illustrious career as a defender.
Before Koulibaly is revealed as a new Blues player, Sterling has already been confirmed as their first signing of the summer.
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The winger has now made the trip to the USA to join his new teammates ahead of their pre-season schedule.
Games against Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal are to come in the next two weeks, as well as a friendly fixture against Udinese at the end of the month.
Topics: Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Transfers
Robert Calcutt