Former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has given transfer advice to his ex-Napoli team-mate Victor Osimhen. The Senegalese defender left the Blues in a £20million deal to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal.
Koulibaly became the second Chelsea player to complete a switch to Saudi Arabia this summer after N'Golo Kante signed for Al-Ittihad. Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech are also expected to complete moves to the Saudi Pro League as the Blues continue their squad exodus.
Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign a new striker this summer despite the arrival of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, football.london understands. Chelsea are also very close to signing Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal.
football.london understands the Senegal international has completed a medical ahead of signing a long-term contract after the Blues triggered the striker's £30m release clause. The deal is expected to be officially announced by Chelsea in the coming days.
However, with Kai Havertz expected to secure a switch to Arsenal this week, Osimhen remains a target for the west London outfit. While the Italian giants are desperate to hold onto Osimhen this summer, football.london understands that the Blues are considering a bid which could cost over £100million.
Sky Sports Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed Osimhen will cost €150million (£128m) this summer - a fee that would shatter the British transfer record set by Chelsea when they signed Enzo Fernandez in January. "Aurelio De Laurentiis wants €150million (£128m) for Osimhen," Di Marzio said.
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"It's an initial request - I think that the only two clubs in the Premier League that can try to get Victor Osimhen are Chelsea and Man United. I think Bayern Munich are out of this race."
This ties into Florian Plettenberg's latest report that states Bayern have informed Osimhen's camp that they are now prioritising a move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane. The Nigerian striker is thought to be keen on a move to the Premier League and Chelsea may be able to raise the funds required for a move with the sale of fringe players this summer.
Koulibaly has now given Osimhen some key advice ahead of a potential move to Stamford Bridge. “We speak once in a while and if he needs, he’ll call me,” Koulibaly told Corriere dello Sport.
“Victor is an important player, among the best in the world. Gennaro Gattuso helped him, Luciano Spalletti was a turning point for him and now he needs nobody.
"He must feel free to choose without listening to anyone else. That’s the only way not to have regrets."
Koulibaly endured a difficult debut season at Stamford Bridge and believes he was unable to prove his quality due to the coach's and club's decisions last season. “I had no guarantees to get regular playing time [at Chelsea], I was always professional but I don’t like to sit on the bench doing nothing," he added.
“I prefer a place where I am wanted and at the centre of the project and can be an example for young players. The Premier League is fantastic and there are great players.
"They [Chelsea] expected the Koulibaly of Napoli, but I think my season was not so bad. I needed time and in one year I couldn’t prove what I wanted because of the coach’s and club’s choices."
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