According to sources, Chelsea and Napoli have agreed on a contract for Kalidou Koulibaly, and the defender will fly to the United States on Wednesday evening to join the club’s pre-season tour.
Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has given his approval and blessing for the defender Kalidou Koulibaly to join Chelsea.
Chelsea was desperate for defensive reinforcements this summer after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers, and while Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde were prominently connected, it is the Napoli man who will be joining the Blues.
Koulibaly, who emerged as one of the top players in his position several years ago, has been frequently linked with a move away from the Serie A club, but they have rejected repeated offers for him.
With Spalletti wishing the Senegal star well at Chelsea, it appears that the club has changed its mind about the 31-year-transfer old’s status.
Especially because Koulibaly would serve as captain this season, he stated that he preferred Koulibaly to always be a part of Napoli. Spalletti stated this as reported by Football Italia at a fan Q&A session.
We will always be grateful to him for all the assistance he has provided us, even if he decides to leave. We wish him the very best if he decides to choose anything else because he merits it.
After eight years with the Italian team, Koulibaly’s current contract with Napoli expires next summer. He was reportedly offered a new contract in January, which would have given him the club captaincy after Lorenzi Insigne left, but he turned it down because he wanted a fresh challenge.
Koulibaly, who has already arrived in London, will undergo his medical examinations in Los Angeles on Thursday before signing a long-term contract.
However, according to some rumors, the 31-year-old will only make a brief detour in London before flying to the United States, where he will get his medical checkup before joining his new colleagues on their preseason tour.
Chelsea will pay €38 million (£32.1 million), which will be split into two payments, with a further €2 million (£1.7 million) in bonuses.
