It’s not a summer transfer window if we don’t discover that Kalidou Koulibaly could have joined a Premier League side at some point in the past and today it’s Chelsea’s turn.
The Senegalese defender has long been linked with a move to England, with every club in the top six having been named as suitors at some point.
Indeed, this summer it looks like he’ll be a hot topic again with Manchester City thought to be chasing his signature once more as Pep Guardiola plans a defensive overhaul.
Of course, it’s not the first time that the defender has been linked with a move to Manchester, with United having long been suitors.
Every man and his dog in Italy, spearheaded by Aurelio de Laurentiis, knows the Red Devils once had a €100m bid turned down for him and the story is brought up at every opportunity, .
“He always remains among the best defenders in the world,” Bruno Satin told Marte Sport Live, relayed by CalcioMercato.
“Three years ago, his rating was very high, and Conte’s Chelsea also arrived. They offered 58 million-plus some bonuses, but De Laurentiis refused.
“Koulibaly was also strongly desired by Benitez. When we did this, he was at the helm of Napoli, and I had a personal relationship with Benitez, but Bigon and Micheli were behind it.
“Today, however, the level has increased so much that it is difficult to strengthen Napoli.”
Now, this is all arbitrary given the move never happened, and everyone went their separate ways, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
How different would Chelsea’s past few years have been had they had a defender like Koulibaly at the back instead of their current crop?
It’s certainly easy to see him flourishing under a coach like Conte, while Frank Lampard, who appears desperate to bring a defender in this summer, would undoubtedly be pleased to have him at Stamford Bridge too.
