Chelsea considering club-record £60m raid for Senegalese star
14 July 2016 - Chelsea Football Club - Antonio Conte unveiling - Newly appointed Chelsea manager Antonio Conte poses on the pitch at Stamford Bridge with a club shirt - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
Chelsea are reportedly willing to break their record transfer fee to land Senegal international defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, according to the Telegraph.
The Premier League side, who defeated West Ham United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, have been linked with the Napoli centre-half throughout the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old, who has six international caps for his country, made 42 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A outfit last season, providing two assists.
Koulibaly, who has also played for Metz and Genk earlier in his career, has been chased by new Blues boss Antonio Conte as he seeks to strengthen his side’s defensive ranks.
The report suggests that Chelsea would have to smash their current transfer record fee of £50m for Liverpool’s Fernando Torres back in 2011, with a £60m bid for the Senegalese star.
The defender’s potential switch to London could also spell bad news for England international Gary Cahill, who has been the regular centre-half partner alongside Blues captain John Terry in campaigns gone by.