Senegal national team captain and Napoli center back Kalidou Koulibaly is expected to complete a transfer to English Premier League side Chelsea FC this week. The 31-year-old was not present for Napoli’s first open training session on Tuesday and is expected in the United States for a medical on Thursday. Reports indicate that Koulibaly will be moving from Serie A side Napoli for between €38 million and €40 million with a four-year contract that will reportedly pay him £160,000 per week.
The French-born Koulibaly has spent the last eight seasons at Napoli after joining from Belgian club Racing Genk, beginning his professional career with French side FC Metz. He made 317 appearances at Napoli and scored 14 goals while capturing the 2019-20 Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup in 2014. A captain for the Senegal national team, Koulibaly has made 62 appearances for the Lions of Teranga and was part of the squad that were runners-up at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations before he helped lead Senegal to their first AFCON title earlier this year. He will be expected to bring leadership along with his athleticism and strong tackling to the heart of the Chelsea defense as they chase a title in the 2022-23 season.
