Chelsea close in on agreeing £34m fee for Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly

Chelsea close in on agreeing £34m fee AND personal terms for Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly to take new owner Todd Boehly’s potential spend past the £120m mark with Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake also lined up to join

  • Chelsea have ramped up their pursuit of Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly
  • The Blues are in urgent need of defensive reinforcements this summer
  • An agreement is looking more likely with long-term deal and £34m on the table 

Chelsea are in talks with Napoli as they bid to sign centre back Kalidou Koulibaly to bolster their defence.

Chelsea are prioritising the strengthening of their backline after finalising up a deal for Raheem Sterling.

The departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have left them short and Chelsea are looking to bring in at least two central defenders.

Chelsea’s pursuit of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly has ramped up with a £34m deal edging closer

Manchester City’s Nathan Ake is close to becoming one centre-back arrival after agreeing personal terms ahead of a return to his former club. City want around £40m for Dutchman Ake.

And Koulibaly has moved up Chelsea’s list of candidates with talks progressing over a £34m move for the Senegalese centre back.

Reports in France revealed what Koulibaly said of his potential switch to Chelsea: ‘I’ll confirm that later, but it’s on the right track.’

Thomas Tuchel has money to spend this summer

After Todd Boehly's £4.25bn takeover

Thomas Tuchel (L) has money to spend this summer following Todd Boehly’s (R) takeover

While Chelsea goalkeeper and Senegal team-mate Edouard Mendy was full of praise, adding: ‘We were happy with Toni, with Christiansen, but I think we are more than happy with the defenders who will arrive for us.’

Koulibaly has long been linked with a move to the Premier League after impressing in Serie A and on the European stage and Thomas Tuchel’s side look to be in pole position to land his signature this summer.

The 31-year-old has just one year left on his deal in Naples, meaning the Italian giants could be keen to cash in on him now to avoid running the risk of losing him for nothing next summer. 

Chelsea also have an interest in Juventus’s Matthijs de Ligt but his preference is a move to long-term admirers Bayern Munich.

Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol and PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe are among the other central defenders Chelsea have held talks over.

Man City's Raheem Sterling is on the verge of joining Chelsea

Chelsea are also interested in City defender Nathan Ake

Chelsea are closing in on signing Raheem Sterling (L) and are heavily linked to Nathan Ake (R)

Chelsea have agreed a £50m deal with City for Sterling who has also undergone a medical as he closes in on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have got money to spend following the £4.25billion takeover by American billionaire Todd Boehly but they are yet to make their first signing of the summer transfer window.

The Blues made it clear they wanted Sterling to take on a key role of their attacking overhaul and, following positive talks with Tuchel, Sterling opted for Stamford Bridge. 

Alongside his lawyer, Sterling is understood to have negotiated a five-year contract worth significantly more than his existing £300,000 a week. There is the option for an extension of one season on a deal that takes him into the Premier League’s top three earners. 

Chairman Boehly led discussions with City over a fee and £50m was agreed over the weekend.  It’s thought Boehly may be flying out to Los Angeles – where Tuchel and his players are currently in training camp – with Sterling on Tuesday.

Chelsea are due to play Mexican giants Club America in Las Vegas, Charlotte FC in North Carolina and London rivals Arsenal in Orlando across the Atlantic.

Boehly’s Blues have also been linked to Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo after he stunned the Red Devils by expressing his desire to leave. 

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