Why Chelsea and Barcelona-target Koulibaly could leave Napoli
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
- 3 min read
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says that he hopes Kalidou Koulibaly accepts a wage reduction in order to stay at the club, amidst interest from Chelsea and Barcelona.
Koulibaly’s deal at the Stadio Diego Maradona expires in the summer of 2023, meaning that Napoli must either look to renew his contract or sell now.
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The Senegal centre back has been offered a new contract but at a much-reduced rate to his current earnings.
This is a usual policy that De Laurentiis employs when his players are over 30 and is a key reason why captain Lorenzo Insigne decided to depart on a Bosman transfer to Toronto this year.
Koulibaly is a club symbol at Napoli and one of the best defenders in Europe and is reportedly said to be upset at being lowballed by De Laurentiis.
🚨 Napoli would demand a fee of at least €65-70m for Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, even though the 30-year old only has one year left on his contract and he is unwilling to renew.
Barça and Chelsea are both keen on the defender.
(Source: @mundodeportivo / @sport) pic.twitter.com/cfS2H1mpI6— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 30, 2022
As a result he is currently considering his future. Chelsea and Barcelona, who both plan to sign top centre-backs this summer, are both interested in the 30-year-old.
De Laurentiis said on Monday that he wants Koulibaly to stay but seemed to hint that he wouldn’t be raising his salary offer.
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What did De Laurentiis say?
“It’s up to him, let’s see if money is the only thing that satisfies him… or if he wants to live herein Napoli, it’s a privilege.”
Koulibaly’s agent Fali Ramadani claimed at the weekend that he had not yet spoken to Chelsea and Barcelona.
“There are so many rumours - and I want to clarify that we’re not in talks with any club for Koulibaly, as of today.
“We’re waiting to meet with Napoli to decide the best solution for both parties.”
One possible sticking point for any interested club will be Koulibaly’s price tag.
The centre back turns 31 next month but De Laurentiis is expected to demand northwards of €50 million, which is a lot of money for a player with no sell-on value.
Juventus have also been linked with a move for Koulibaly.
