Napoli chief explains why Chelsea failed in their bid to sign £47m-rated Kalidou Koulibaly

CHELSEA failed in their attempts to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, because the Italians could not find a suitable replacement.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed the Blues made a massive £47million bid for the big Senegalese defender last summer, but the Serie A side stood firm and refused to do business.

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Chelsea bid snubbed by Napoli for defender Kalidou Koulibaliy because the Italians had no replacement[/caption]

De Laurentiis told beIN Sports:”Chelsea had offered €55m, but I told Conte that I could not give him up without first having a worthy substitute.

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“I will not sell the player unless Sarri (Napoli manager) tells me: “I have Tom, Dick and Harry who are reliable: you give up who you want.”

Reuters

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was frustrated in his attempts to sign Kalidou Koulibaly last summer[/caption]

EPA

After Napoli held firm, Blues boss Antonio Conte surprisingly plumped for David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain late in the summer transfer window.

Despite the success of the Brazilian on his return to Stamford Bridge, Koulibaly’s agent Bruno Satin has not ruled out a summer switch to Chelsea.

Satin told Kiss Kiss Napoli radio:”Chelsea were interested but then they signed David Luiz and you also have John Terry and Gary Cahill at the club so there is a lot of competition there.

“We will see what happens. A lot of the improvements that Koulibaly has made in his game have been down to the coaching of Maurizio Sarri.”

Satin added:”Whatever happens in the future will depend on the president and whether or not he decides to evaluate any offers that may come in.”

The Napoli stopper signed a new deal with the Serie A side, after last summer’s transfer window, so he could cost Chelsea more than they bid for him last time.