Kalidou Koulibaly web ST

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Premier League club and 2021 Champions League winner Chelsea are reportedly in talks to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. As per reports,  discussions have commenced over a possible deal that could move the 31-year-old to Stamford Bridge on a long-term contract for a proposed €40 million fee.

The negotiations are continuing but an agreement between the clubs and the Senegal international is thought to be very close. Kalidou Koulibaly also is heading into the final year of his current contract which could be another reason for the lower expected transfer fee. 

Kalidou Koulibaly made 27 Serie A appearances last season for Napoli as the team finished third in the table.  In the 2021-22 season, the Senegalese defender has averaged 1.6 tackles, 1 interception, 1.1 fouls, 0.6 offsides and 3 clearances. He was 0.5 times dribbled past per game while making 0.8 blocks over the season. 

He also wasn’t involved in any own goals in the 39 games he played overall. Offensively as well Kalidou Koulibaly has made a few contributions as he scored three goals and also made four assists over the season.  

Chelsea has been looking to strengthen their back line as Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left the London-based club to join Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, on free transfers. Reports also that the CFC Blues have shown interest in Paris Saint Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe, Manchester City’s Nathan Ake and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde as their multiple central defensive reinforcements.

The deal to bring in Kalidou Koulibaly could get more traction as he shared a great relationship with Chelsea and Senegal goalkeeper Eduardo Mendy. Both these players were crucial pieces in Senegal’s AFCON victory last year where Koulibaly labled his teammate as the best in the world. 

He said, “We made it with our team and our power. Our goalkeeper is the best in the world and we win the title. We feel happy. We knew it would be hard to win the Africa Cup of Nations but today we made it. Our team deserved to win this title. We had been looking for this for a long time and now we have it. This team is magnificent.”