The agent of Chelsea target Kalidou Koulibaly has revealed in an interview with Radio CRC that the defender, reportedly valued at around €55m, wants to leave Serie A side Napoli, while also confirming the Premier League side’s interest and still have time to “close a deal”.
The 25-year-old Senegalese international has been strongly linked with a move to West London this summer, with the player’s agent, Bruno Satin, announcing that his client is set to leave Italy “for economic reasons”, while also claiming that a move to Chelsea is very much on the cards.
“Let’s be clear, I went to meet the president at Dimaro last Saturday,” said Satin (via Sky Italia), “We summed up the situation after these tense few weeks.
“That I know of, he’s not about to renew and the future doesn’t look rosy. The player’s desire is to leave and the signs we’re receiving from Napoli don’t exactly pressure him otherwise.
“We’ve decided to leave for economic reasons. After what happened to Higuain, though, Kalidou will not be leaving for Juventus or another competitor.
“Chelsea still want him and there’s time to close the deal.”
The Blues have already signed both Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante this summer, with new manager Antonio Conte looking to reshape the squad in order to mount a sustained assault on the Premier League title next season. Chelsea finished a lowly tenth last season with Jose Mourinho sacked after an appalling defence of their 2014/15 crown.
The defence struggled enormously last season, with John Terry not getting any younger, Gary Cahill experiencing mixed form and Branislav Ivanovic often a shadow of his former self. Koulibaly is an immensely powerful centre-back and would breath new life into the Premier League side’s creaking backline.
Along with Juventus, fellow English side Everton were also said to be interested in Koulibaly, but it now seems that the coast is clear for Chelsea to clinch their third major signing of the summer.
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