EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte eyes Serie A defender to replace John Terry - 7M sport

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte eyes Serie A defender to replace John Terry

CHELSEA want to sign Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly as a replacement for John Terry.


Posted Monday, March 06, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte eyes Serie A defender to replace John Terry
Kalidou Koulibaly was targeted by Chelsea in the summer but a move did not materialise

Blues boss Antonio Conte has made the giant centre-back his top target this summer but he will cost Chelsea up to £60m.

The 6ft 5ins France-born defender, who plays his international football for Senegal, is known at The Wall.

His other nickname is K2, based on his name and the second highest mountain in the world. Koulibaly, 25 is under contract in Italy until 2021 and has established himself as one of Europe's top central defenders.

His presence, pace and ability have made an impression on Conte, who has kept a keen watch on Koulibaly and was rumoured to have made a bid for him last summer.

And Chelsea are again in the market for a player in that position with club captain Terry expected to see his Stamford Bridge career come to an end in the summer.

The former England skipper, 36, has been linked with big-money moves to America and the Chinese Super League.

Terry is no longer a first-choice at Premier League leaders Chelsea, who play West Ham in a London derby tomorrow night.

Conte has been using a back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill to great effect and also has Kurt Zouma to call on.

But Terry is part of the squad and would have to be replaced if he left the club.

And a player like Koulibaly would go straight into the team next season if Conte gets his man.



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