The Sunday Mail
Chelsea have signed centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly on a four-year deal from Serie A side Napoli.
The Senegal international, 31, joined Napoli from Genk in 2014 and made 317 appearances for the Italian side.
His arrival at Stamford Bridge follows the departures of defenders Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona, both on free transfers.
“I am very happy to be here with this team at Chelsea,” said Koulibaly.
“It’s a big team in the world and my dream was always to play in the Premier League.
“Chelsea came first to get me in 2016, but we didn’t make it. Now when they came to me I accepted it because they really wanted me to come to the Premier League to play for them.
“When I spoke to my good friends Edou [Mendy] and Jorginho they made my choice easier.”
Koulibaly made his senior debut for Senegal in September 2015 and has since earned 62 caps, captaining the team to victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
He becomes Chelsea’s second signing since the Todd Boehly-led takeover after Raheem Sterling joined the club in a £50m deal.
Boehly said: “Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the world’s elite defenders, and we are delighted to be welcoming him to Chelsea.
“A great leader and an exemplary team player, Kalidou brings a wealth of experience and attributes that will benefit our squad and the club as a whole.”
The London club has also revived their interest in Sevilla’s France defender Jules Kounde, 23, after Manchester City decided against selling 27-year-old Netherlands defender Nathan Ake to Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Chelsea’s hopes of signing Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry were dealt a blow after the 27-year-old Germany forward opted to stay at the club. Elsewhere, fresh from securing Leeds United’s Brazil winger Raphinha, Barcelona are making progress in their attempts to sign Bayern Munich’s prolific Poland forward Robert Lewandowski.
Arsenal are said to be prepared to sell Nicolas Pepe for less than the £72m club-record fee they paid for him, with the 27-year-old Ivory Coast winger no longer part of manager Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Former Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard, 29, is considering a move to Saudi Arabia where he could earn £10m per year.
The England player’s United contract expired last month.
Arsenal are hopeful of reaching an agreement to sign Manchester City’s versatile Ukraine player Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Chelsea’s Albania forward Armando Brojo, 20, remains a target for Newcastle United, but boss Eddie Howe has warned of difficulties over “high prices and limited availability” as he looks to strengthen his side.
Finally, AC Milan are close to announcing a new contract for 40-year-old Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. – BBC
