Chelsea would reportedly have to pay as much as £80million to seal the transfer of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.
Having just raided the Serie A giants for manager Maurizio Sarri and star midfielder Jorginho, the Blues could struggle to bring in yet another big name, it would seem.
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This is because, as the Daily Mirror claim, Napoli want huge money for Koulibaly in an attempt to fight off Chelsea’s interest and avoid looking like becoming a feeder club for the west London giants.
The Naples outfit ran Juventus close in the title race in Italy last season, but could face a tougher task ahead of them after having to make a number of changes this summer.
Carlo Ancelotti has replaces Sarri as manager, but the club won’t want to lose an important player like Koulibaly, who has been one of the best centre-backs in Europe in recent times.
The Senegal international could easily slot in well at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea could do with long-term replacements for ageing and under-performing defensive duo Gary Cahill and David Luiz.
Goal have previously linked Koulibaly, 27, with the Blues, and it would make sense that Sarri could try again to raid his old club after Jorginho’s arrival was announced on the same day as his.