Chelsea are reportedly ready to splash out £34m this summer in a bid to land Senegal international defender Kalidou Koulibaly, according to Sportitalia (via The Sun).
The Premier League side, who could only finish tenth in the English top-flight standings last term during their thoroughly disappointing defence of their 2014/15 title, have been continually linked with a move for the Napoli centre-half ahead of the forthcoming 2016/17 campaign.
New Chelsea boss Conte – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.
The 25-year-old, who has six international caps for his country, provided two assists in 42 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A outfit last season.
Koulibaly, who was part of a Napoli squad who conceded just 32 times in 38 league games last term as they finished runners-up to eventual champions Juventus, has already been the subject of a failed £19m bid from the Blues last month.
However, new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is so determined to land the Senegal star, he has convinced the club to stump up more cash for the defender’s services – offering an initial payment of £31.5m, plus £2.5m in bonuses.