Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that he blocked Chelsea’s move for Kalidou Koulibaly because he could not find a viable replacement.
The Senegalese defender has been heavily linked with a move to the Stamford Bridge in recent seasons, with reports that Antonio Conte even tried to sign him during the last summer transfer window.
Koulibaly has been a key figure at Napoli, with his solid displays in the Serie A. Upon his arrival at the Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte identified several defenders to bolster Chelsea’s backline after a disastrous season under Jose Mourinho.
Kalidou Koulibaly was one of the defenders eyed by Conte during the summer, but failed in his attempt to sign the highly-rated defender and signed David Luiz from Paris Saint Germain instead.
However, it is understood that the Blues boss is still keen on signing the 25-year-old defender ahead of the next transfer window.
Speaking about the failed transfer, Napoli club president Aurelis De Laurentiis told beIN Sports: ‘Chelsea had offered €55m, but I told Conte that I could not give him up without first having a worthy substitute,
“(I will not sell him) unless (manager Mauricio) Sarri tells me: “I have Tom, Dick and Harry who are reliable: you give up who you want”.’
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