Chelsea Ready to Offer £34million for Senegalese

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is ready to spend £34million on bolstering his defensive options by signing Napoli centre-half Kalidou Koulibaly.

 

The 25-year-old Senegalese international has been on the radar of the Stamford Bridge outfit for a while.

The Blues reportedly had a £19million bid turned down by the Serie A giants last month.

They also tried to get a £30million deal done earlier this month.

But now it appears they look finally set to get him.

And according to Sportitalia, Conte is now prepared to splash the cash and get his man

Chelsea’s bid includes a £31.5 million initial payment to Napoli with £2.5 million in bonuses.

So high does Conte rate Koulibaly, it is said the former Azzurri boss wants to build his team around him.

Koulibaly impressed in the Italian top flight last season as Napoli conceded just 32 goals in 38 matches as they finished behind Juventus in the title race.

Chelsea Ready to Offer £34million for Senegalese

Bayern Munich Set To Hijack Chelsea"s Key Transfer Target

Chelsea face competition from Bayern Munich for Napoli centre-half Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, according to reports in Germany.

Antonio Conte is looking to strengthen his defensive options at the west London club despite former England defender and Chelsea captain John Terry signing a one-year contract extension last month.

The Italy head coach, who is set to take over the reins of the Stamford Bridge outfit following this summer’s Euro 2016 tournament, has a vast knowledge of Serie A following his time in charge of Juventus.

Senegal international Koulibaly, who is equally adept at playing at centre-half, has emerged as a potential target for the 2015 Premier League champions in recent weeks.

According to Bild, Bayern are keen to sign the African defender as a potential long-term replacement for long-time servant Philip Lahm.

The 24-year-old, who has previously played for Metz and Racing Genk, made 33 appearances in Serie A for the runners-up last season.

Bayern Munich Set To Hijack Chelsea"s Key Transfer Target

Racism Is Holding Back Koulibaly - Maradona

Diego Maradona has suggested that racism in football is holding back Napoli center back Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Argentine legend has claimed that if Koulibaly were white the defender would be playing for either Barcelona on Real Madrid.

Koulibaly, 24, has been one of Napoli’s key players this season, playing 39 times across all competitions for the Italian club.

Maradona, who won two league titles with Napoli, believes white players are favoured over black players and that if Koulibaly were white he would by plying his trade at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“If Koulibaly was white he would be playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona. Racism still exists in football,” Maradona told Piuenne TV. “The white players are always favoured over black player – and that is a disgrace.”

The Senegal international has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester United in recent weeks.

Napoli failed to capitalise on a good start to the campaign, as Juventus were crowned league champions for the fifth consecutive season.

Source : Africanfootball

Racism Is Holding Back Koulibaly - Maradona