Kalidou Koulibaly has been spotted in Milan ahead of a medical, with Chelsea close to signing the 31-year-old. The centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for the best part of five-years and, amid an increasingly uncertain future at Napoli, the Blues look set to finally secure their long-term target.
football.london understand Chelsea are very confident that the transfer of Koulibaly will be completed once the final details have been confirmed. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have had a €40million (£34m) bid accepted by the Italian giants, with the defender set to pen a long-term contract at club.
It's believed that the Senegal international will fly to Los Angeles tonight to complete his medical before joining up with the Chelsea squad on the pre-season tour. Though contrary reports have said that Koulibaly is flying to England this evening before undergoing the first instalment of his medical tomorrow.
READ MORE: Chelsea receive £60m Raphinha transfer boost as Todd Boehly sets new Barcelona deadline
Nonetheless, with Koulibaly's arrival seemingly imminent, Thomas Tuchel is taking the first steps towards compensating for the devastating exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Koulibaly, who sees his deal at Napoli expire in 12 months, featured 27 times for Luciano Spalletti's side in the Serie A last season, steering Gli Azzurri towards a title charge. He's a defender of great pedigree who played a significant role in the Italian giants recording an incredible defensive record.
Though, while the Napoli star looks to be an impressive acquisition, Tuchel has shown no signs of slowing down, with the Chelsea boss eager to undergo a full rebuild this summer. Speaking to football.london, he said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
READ NEXT:
Richarlison to Spurs hands Todd Boehly wake-up call amid Chelsea and Raphinha transfer impasse
Thomas Tuchel may already have the answer to Chelsea's £50m Manchester City transfer problem
Barcelona secure £177.6m windfall to concern Chelsea in Raphinha transfer battle
Sell Timo Werner, keep Levi Colwill - How Chelsea's squad should look after the transfer window
Pep Guardiola has already told Thomas Tuchel what Nathan Ake offers amid Chelsea transfer move
