Chelsea are reportedly ready to shell out a lucrative contract worth €9.5 million per year to lure Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli this summer.
According to Italian publication La Repubblica, as relayed by Sport Witness, Chelsea are ready to hand Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly a contract worth €9.5 million to beat Juventus to his signing.
Koulibaly has sparked quite a bit of transfer interest this summer due to his contract situation. The 31-year-old is entering the final year of his contract with Napoli this summer, leading to clubs lining up to sign him. Barcelona have been linked heavily with a move for the defender but are now considering signing him next year on a Bosman deal.
It has left the door open for other suitors like Chelsea and Juventus to make a swoop for the Senegalese international. Chelsea’s search for a new defender is no secret. The Blues have lost Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger this summer on Bosman transfers, and Cesar Azpilicueta is also on the verge of leaving for Barcelona.
It has left Thomas Tuchel’s side on the lookout for at least two new top-quality defenders. Jules Kounde has been identified as a target, but things have gone quiet on that front. Matthijs de Ligt has also emerged as a target, but Bayern Munich look set to beat Chelsea to capture the Dutchman.
It has forced Chelsea to shift their focus towards Koulibaly. And as per the report, the Blues have decided to offer the Senegalese international a lucrative contract worth around €9.5 million per year, which could appeal to the defender, given he earns significantly less at Napoli.
Juventus are also interested in signing Koulibaly as a replacement for the exit-bound de Ligt. But the Bianconeri are only willing to hand him a €6.5 million-a-year deal, which would leave Chelsea as the front-runner for the signing of the 31-year-old defender.
Koulibaly might not be the youngest of defenders around, but the Senegalese man-mountain is one of the most reliable performers in his position in Europe. He is extremely experienced and has the skill set required to succeed in the Premier League, while his leadership and organisational abilities can make him an asset for Chelsea.
What now remains to be seen is whether Chelsea press ahead with their interest in Koulibaly and make a formal approach for his services in the coming days.
