Monday 25 July 2016 21:47, UK
Chelsea are interested in signing Napoli central defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, according to the player's agent.
New Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte is currently shaping his squad ahead of his first season at the club and has already secured the signings of Michy Batshuayi and N'Golo Kante.
Conte is yet to strengthen his defensive options since arriving at Stamford Bridge in July, but could be tempted to pursue a deal for Koulibaly after the Senegal international's agent, Bruno Satin, made it clear that his client has no intention of signing a new contract at Napoli.
"Let's be clear, I went to meet the president at Dimaro last Saturday. We summed up the situation after these tense few weeks," Satin told Radio CRC.
"That I know of, Koulibaly's not about to renew [his contract] and the future doesn't look rosy. The player's desire is to leave and the signs we're receiving from Napoli don't exactly pressure him otherwise.
"We've decided to leave for economic reasons. After what happened to Higuain, though, Kalidou will not be leaving for Juventus or another competitor.
"Chelsea still want him and there's time to close the deal."
Koulibaly, who joined Napoli from Genk in 2014, is currently contracted at the Stadio San Paolo until the summer of 2019.
