Koulibaly confirms he is on his way to Chelsea 

Man United Favourite for £80m Kalidou Koulibaly transfer

Chelsea are close to signing Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly according to reports.

The Blues are looking to sign a centre-back to cover for the loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen who both left for Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. They have identified the Napoli man as the player with the right calibre to fill the gap left by both players and according to reports.

The Stamford Bridge side were rumoured to be interested in Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, but the Dutchman has drifted out of reach as he nears a move to Bayern Munich.

With other long-term targets like Jules Kounde and Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe still far from joining, Thomas Tuchel has moved to bring Koulibaly, who the Blues have monitored in previous seasons. 

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue, with the player showing a willingness to move to Stamford Bridge.

Ahead of the move, the Napoli man has also confirmed a move to Chelsea is ‘on the right track.

Speaking to French journalist Romain Collet-Gaudin via 90min, the Senegalese centre-back said when asked about the deal;

“I’ll confirm that later, but it’s on the right track.”

Meanwhile, Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti has admitted that Kalidou Koulibaly could leave the club this summer.

Speaking in a Q&A session with Napoli fans, Spalletti said;

“I always remain of the same opinion. I always prefer Koulibaly to everyone.

“It is easy for me because he, as a Napoli player, is the one who has the highest average points. When he was on the pitch, we scored more points.

“Should he choose to go, we will never stop thanking him for everything he taught us and for everything he gave us to make us play in the Champions League this year.

“He is very good, very strong. This year he would also be captain [if he chose to stay].

“If he will choose different things, we will wish him the best because he deserves it all, and woe to anyone who will tell him something if he has to make different choices.”

Having joined Napoli in 2014 from Genk, Koulibaly has entered the final year of his contract and is now set for a new challenge in a fresh chapter of his career. The 31-year-old has made 317 appearances for the Italian team in all competitions in his eight years with the club.