Chelsea have still not given up on Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly despite signing Antonio Rudiger from Roma, according to the Corriere Della Sera (via Tuttomercatoweb).
The Senegalese international had reportedly been targeted by the Blues, along with Southampton’s Virgil van Dirk and Juventus’s Leonardo Bonucci, to strengthen manager Antonio Conte’s options at centre half.
It was assumed Rudiger’s arrival at Stamford Bridge from Italy for £34m would prompt Chelsea to move on to securing targets in other positions, but it seems that the Premier League champions could still yet strengthen the heart of the defence further.
Right back Cesar Azpilicueta did an admirable job of playing at centre half last season despite playing out of position, and with three centre back places to fill, the Blues could be seeking Koulibaly to partner David Luiz, Gary Cahill and/or Rudiger at the back next season.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed to Sky Sports in October that the Blues had placed a number of bids for the 26 year old last summer.
