Chelsea transfer news: Blues could join Calidou Coulibaly in January

The European champions failed this summer when they tried to sign Jules’ customers
Chelsea are reportedly assessing a January strike for Napoli center-back Calidou Coulibaly.

The Blues tried and failed to strengthen their defensive line during the summer transfer window as Jules Kunde’s opener proved unattainable.

Sevilla refused to leave the 22-year-old for less than his release clause and Chelsea refused to pay £68.5m for the Frenchman.

That’s why Thomas Tuchel reduced his chances in central defense this season, Kurt Zuma moved to West Ham. The Chelsea boss could demand defensive signatures if the market reopens in January.

Coulibaly is a central defender the West London side could be chasing, according to the report.

The Senegal international has been linked with Chelsea in the past, especially when Maurizio Sari was in charge.

Now 30 years old, he will be a short term addition to Kounde.
But Coulibaly continues to play at a high level in Serie A and must enter the final 18 months of his contract in January.

Napoli may be poised to win money from the former Genk defender if the price is right.

Coulibaly continues to insist that he is happy at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and has never insisted on leaving despite his long association with top clubs.

“I heard I was leaving but I’m fine here,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport last year.

“I don’t understand why we should talk about the market when there’s nothing on the horizon. Every day there are new [rumors].

“You never know what happens in football. I never spoke to the club about leaving. If we had to find a solution, we would, but I never spoke about the transfer market.”

“I have read about my future in the newspapers, but I just want to think about the game. I am 100 per cent for Napoli and I worry every day that I am linked with this or that European club.”