Chelsea could land Koulibaly with Napoli in Mangala talks

Matt Stead

Manchester City could pave the way for Kalidou Koulibaly to join Chelsea by loaning Eliaquim Mangala to Napoli.

Mangala does not appear to be part of Pep Guardiola’s plans at City, and is among a high-profile list of players deemed not good enough to even make the bench under the Spaniard.

According to The Times, Napoli have agreed a deal to sign the centre-back on a temporary basis.

The report suggests that the deal could allow Chelsea to finally land Koulibaly, who they have chased all summer, with Antonio Conte desperate to add a new centre-back to his ranks before the end of the transfer window.

On Monday it was suggested that the Blues had made a final £40million bid for the French-born Senegal international.