Chelsea target set to stay at Napoli

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly to add to their squad next season but have suffered a blow in their pursuit.

The central defender has been told by Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis that the club will not listen to offers for his services from other clubs.

Koulibaly has three years left on his contract and it looks more likely that he will remain with the club rather than moving to London – to join Chelsea, who now have to turn their attention away from Naples.

I have never quarrelled with Koulibaly. He will remain with us for another three years.

If he wants to renew his contract with us to five years then we will meet but the deal must satisfy both parties, because these relationships are never one-sided.

Aurelio de Laurentiis, :

The 25-year-old was recently on record to reveal his frustrations with Napoli’s hierarchy for their inability to award him a new contract despite interest from “big clubs” on the continent.

He suggested he could be talking to new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, which signaled a possible interest in moving to Chelsea.

Big clubs want to sign me and there is no sign of a renewal with Napoli. The negotiations for a contract extension have stalled and they never wanted to discuss with us.

I have not talked to Antonio Conte but that may be soon. If nothing happens at Napoli, I will start to have contact with other clubs.

Kalidou Koulibaly, 

Chelsea News