Chelsea have made an enquiry for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, according to reports in Italy.
It was previously reported that Chelsea were in talks with the defender, offering him a verbal contract this summer.
A move to Chelsea was said to be tempting for the Senegal international, who could be set to end his time at Napoli this summer.
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With a year left on his contract in the Serie A, the Blues are hoping to get the defender for a cut price.
Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departed the club on free transfers in the summer.
The German has been unveiled officially as a Real Madrid player, while Christensen is set to be announced as a Barcelona player this summer.
The Dane penned a farewell message to Chelsea fans this month as he is set for the next step in his career.
With a gap in the Blues backline, Koulibaly has now reportedly been identified as a target.
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As reported by Gianluca Di Marizo, Koulibaly’s agent is now in London to try and organise a move for his client.
The high prices of Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar and Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has seen the Blues enquire about the Napoli defender.
De Ligt has recently been identified as the priority target for Thomas Tuchel in defence this summer, overtaking Jules Kounde.
However, negotiations are also ongoing for Kounde this summer as he could still find himself becoming a Chelsea player this summer.
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Koulibaly has now been identified as a potential target, joining the likes of Nathan Ake on a list of central defensive targets at Stamford Bridge.
Fabrizio Romano continues to report that Koulibaly is on the shortlist of defenders this summer.
The Italian states that there have been conversations about signing the 30-year-old.
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However, the interest is alongside that of Ake, Kounde and De Ligt.
Chelsea will sign one of De Ligt or Skriniar this summer, according to reports in Italy, but are also set to make another defensive acquisition.
Speaking on recruitment this summer, and hinting at defensive reinforcements, a senior source told The Telegraph: "The key is to basically work with Tuchel to come up with the best players that are available.
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"We really want to make sure we have a good defence. We've got depth in midfield. We're not desperate for an out-and-out striker.
“Fortunately, there's reasonable opportunities in the market right now in order to satisfy the fans' desire to be competitive.
"I think it's a combination of moves and there's five or six that we're going to look to make.”
It remains to be seen as to who Chelsea will bring in in terms of defensive reinforcements but two defenders are required to plug the holes in the Blues’ backline.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Napoli, Kalidou Koulibaly, Transfers, Football
Nick Emms