Chelsea and Napoli have agreed the transfer of Kalidou Koulibaly for a fee of €40m according to Fabrizio Romano. The Senegalese centre-back will put pen to paper today before flying to Los Angeles and joining up with his new teammates for pre-season. Barcelona had been linked with him but he’s Chelsea-bound.
Koulibaly will become Chelsea’s second signing of the new era – there was a change of ownership at the West London club recently. The first was Raheem Sterling, who they prised from Manchester City yesterday. Koulibaly brings some much-needed steel, experience and quality to a defence that’s been really weakened this close-season – Antonio Rudiger left for Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen has joined Barcelona.
Koulibaly, a 31-year-old Senegalese centre-back with 62 caps for his country to his name, has been at Napoli since 2014. He’s made 314 appearances for the Italian club. He’s ready for a new challenge in England and will also be preparing for the World Cup in Qatar later this year – he has just won the African Cup of Nations with Senegal and will be aiming high in the Middle East.
Paperworks signed between Chelsea and Napoli for Kalidou Koulibaly deal for €40m. All completed now, he will sign in the morning – then will fly to Los Angeles. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Koulibaly will be unveiled as second Chelsea signing very soon. Here we go confirmed. pic.twitter.com/e5exnkB2R7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 13, 2022
