Chelsea transfer news: £65m for Koulibaly amid Alonso exit fears

Chelsea have been bounced into making a move for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, reports The Sun. The club is fearful that Arsenal and Manchester United are both interested in signing the strapping Senegal international.

The Blues had a £40m offer for Koulibaly knocked back last summer. Rumours earlier in the year suggest they could have another crack at prising him from the Serie A at the end of the season. But with United known to be scouting for back four replacements, and Arsenal ready to carry out a major overhaul of their squad to greet their new manager, Chelsea have decided to strike while the iron’s hot.

To that end, says the Sun, they are preparing a “£65m bid” and are cautiously optimistic it will be enough to land Koulibaly.

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The Italian rag Il Mattino says that Chelsea are “willing to up their opening bid” of £65m. They could go even higher if United or Arsenal join the chase for a player who’s taken Napoli to second in Serie A just one point behind leaders Juventus.

Meanwhile the Daily Star reports that Barcelona star Lionel Messi has told the board to dilly-dally no longer and sign Marcos Alonso. The normally fairly reliable Spanish outlet Don Balon claims that the defender has so impressed Messi that he feels he would provide competition for places at the Nou Camp. [3] Goal.com also mentions the link, adding that Barcelona regard Alonso as the man to replace Gerard Pique at the heart of their defence because of his “height, ball skills and tactical awareness”.