Kalidou Koulibaly has completed his Chelsea medical ahead of a move from Napoli, it has been revealed.
The 31-year-old is set to become Thomas Tuchel’s second signing of the summer following Raheem Sterling joining from Manchester City, announced earlier this week.
Chelsea are in desperate need of central defensive reinforcements this summer following Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s departures.
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The German joined Real Madrid, while Christensen became a Barcelona player, both leaving Chelsea on free transfers.
As it stands, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ethan Ampadu are the central defensive options at the club.
With Ampadu and Colwill returning from loans, they will likely be given the chance to impress on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States.
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However, the Blues have been in the market for additional defenders after losing two of their defensive stars in the summer.
Blues boss Tuchel was ‘driving and pushing’ Chelsea’s interest in the 31-year-old centre-back, a player who has been heavily linked with a move to west London for many years.
The Senegal international was first linked with a switch to London under Antonio Conte but was ultimately priced out of a move by Napoli.
With just a year left on his deal in Naples, the Serie A side have granted their defender a move to Chelsea.
Napoli were keen to see Koulibaly move to the Premier League rather than sell the 31-year-old to league rivals Juventus.
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Chelsea are set to complete a deal with Napoli for a fee of around €40 million, which includes add-ons.
It has now been revealed by several Italian journalists that Koulibaly has completed his Chelsea medical and is now set to fly to Los Angeles to join his new teammates.
As reported initially by Alfredo Pedulla, Koulibaly had undergone a successful medical ahead of the move, with no problems picked up.
Fabrizio Romano continued to add to this, revealing that the Senegal defender had signed his Chelsea contract.
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The Italian stated that the ‘main part’ of the medical had been completed, with Koulibaly now set to be named as a Chelsea player.
The announcement is said to be ‘pending’ as the defender prepares for life in London, joining his national teammate Edouard Mendy at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel will likely look to add another defender to his side this summer as they look to challenge on all fronts, with the addition of Koulibaly a key one as Chelsea rebuild their squad ahead of the new season.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Napoli, Kalidou Koulibaly, Transfers, Football, Premier League
Nick Emms