Chelsea are said to be 'very close' to signing Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, with Thomas Tuchel soon set to welcome the first signing of a new era at Stamford Bridge. The 31-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to west London for the best part of five-years and, with his contract drawing to a close at Napoli, he faces an increasingly uncertain future in Italy.
According to widespread reports, Koulibaly will pen a three-year deal with the Blues in a deal which will cost Todd Boehly €40million (around £34m). Chelsea are believed to be in direct contact with the Senegal international's agent Fali Ramadani following a meeting between the two parties which took place on Monday.
Koulibaly, who sees his deal with the Italian giants expire in 12 months, is seen as an alternative to Matthijs de Ligt, who is edging ever close to penning a deal at Bayern Munich despite the west Londoners' interest. The centre-back featured 27 times for Luciano Spalletti's side in the Serie A last season, steering Gli Azzurri towards a title charge.
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Koulibaly is a defender of great pedigree who played a significant role in Napoli recording an incredible defensive record. By signing the Senegalese star, Tuchel will be taking the first steps towards compensating for Antonio Rudiger's departure.
As growing doubt is cast over Koulibaly's future at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Spalletti has let his stance be known regarding his defender's rumoured exit. The Napoli boss insisted that he would chain himself to the gates if his star defender is sold!
Speaking in a press conference after the final game of the 2021/22 Serie A season, Spalletti told Football Italia: "Koulibaly in my view is not for sale, just like last season when I threatened to chain myself to the gates if he was sold. I’m doing it again!
"This is a player always open to giving a helping hand, knows where to intervene and how to raise the level, he does what is needed. We want to have another important season, so he cannot be sold.
"People say you can get a younger player, but you can’t buy a leader, who developed here over so many years, who lives and breathes the city and gives that passion back on the pitch. Kalidou is not the same as the others for many reasons, so he needs particular focus. These are all things we’ll discuss over the next few days."
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