Chelsea have held talks with agent Fali Ramadani about signing Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, according to Matteo Moretto.
The Italian journalist claims that the Blues could reignite their interest in the Senegalese international as they look to find replacements for Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer:
El Chelsea pierde a Rudiger y Christensen y tendrá que invertir en dos defensas centrales de gran nivel. Entre las diversas charlas con Fali Ramadani, los Blues también tocaron el tema Koulibaly. Hará falta una súper oferta para convencer al dueño del Nápoles de que lo deje ir.
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) May 11, 2022
Koulibaly has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge on and off since the summer of 2017 but he is closing in on his 31st birthday and supporters on Twitter are very much split on whether he would still be a good signing:
On my knees. This will be another thiago silva. Only younger. Great if it happens
— emperor dozie (@Dozie1223) May 12, 2022
But he is better than both of them by many miles
— Hasani (@hasani0072) May 12, 2022
Feel like this is 4 years too late, and no doubt Napoli will demand £75mil (or something stupid) for him
— Darren Lavery (@Darren_Lav89) May 12, 2022
Excellent. Just excellent news.
Kouli + Kounde is exactly what our defense needs. I’m so excited pic.twitter.com/6i7RYKoMCj
— Rasen – #He’sBack (@RasenRendanX) May 12, 2022
If Napoli owner want a super offer lets skip it
— Rin D 🦏❤️🐧 (@minatagram37) May 12, 2022
Finally we can play four at the back with extra midfielder. Lukaku will ball next season 👏🏽👏🏽
— Bennydikason11 (@bennydikason11) May 12, 2022
Is it 2017 again?
— Jack (@PuntingWinners) May 12, 2022
Not young but he will turn out good
— NazeäL (@mdnazeal) May 12, 2022
As we have seen with Thiago Silva, centre-backs can continue to perform at the highest level well into their 30s so, if Koulibaly is available for a reasonable price, it could be a worthwhile purchase.
Moretto believes it would take a “super offer” for Napoli to consider selling Koulibaly but the player is reaching the final year of his contract with the Serie A club, so they won’t be able to hold out for that much money.