Chelsea Make £52.5 Million Bid For John Terry Replacement

Reports have emerged that Antonio Conte is unhappy with Chelsea's lack of transfer activity thus far, casting his future at the club into doubt.

The Italian, who guided the Blues to the Premier League title in his first season at the club, has grown increasingly frustrated at seeing title rivals already add to their side, while he has been yet to improve his title-winning squad as of yet.

It's said that Conte wants direct communication with owner Roman Abramovich and club official Marina Granovskaia after missing out on some of his key targets last summer.

Image: PA

One of the moves that didn't come to fruition was Chelsea's pursuit of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The 25-year old, who made 38 appearances in all competitions last term, was heavily courted by Chelsea last summer but the club were unsuccessful in their attempts to prise him away from Naples.

Image: PA

However, Italian outlet TMW say that, with Conte looking to find an adequate replacement to fill the void left by John Terry, and a player who has what it takes to play in a back three, Chelsea have gone back in for Koulibaly, and have tabled a mammoth £52.5 million bid.

The offer, which supersedes the £50 million Chelsea forked out in 2011 for Fernando Torres, is said to have been knocked back by Napoli as the club do not wish to sell one of their big guns.

We have of course heard that all before, though this time it does seem like Napoli chiefs are desperate to keep old of their key players going into next season, where they will look to pose a bigger threat to Juventus' title after finishing third, five points behind the Bianconeri in Serie A last term.

Chelsea have been monitoring the situation of Koulibaly, a French-born Senegal international, for quite some time, and are clearly high on his talents.

Image: PA

But it will take an even more substantial offer than the one tabled, and Conte's discontent may well continue.

Chelsea fans, what do you make of your current predicament in terms of transfers? Is Koulibaly a player you desperately need?

Sound off in the comments section below.

Topics: Chelsea, Napoli, Kalidou Koulibaly

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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