Napoli chief on when he would sell Koulibaly to Chelsea

Matt Stead

Napoli will only sell Chelsea target Kalidou Koulibaly when the club have found a suitable replacement.

Chelsea failed in a bid to sign Koulibaly last summer before eventually settling on signing David Luiz.

The Brazilian has been excellent on his return season at Stamford Bridge, but Koulibaly was manager Antonio Conte’s first choice for a defensive signing in the summer.

The Blues are expected to resume their pursuit of the centre-half after he has continued to impress in Serie A this campaign, but Napoli chief Aurelio de Laurentiis has offered a word of warning for any potential suitors.

“Chelsea had offered €55m, but I told Conte that I could not give him up without first having a worthy substitute,” De Laurentiis told beIN Sports.

“[I will not sell him] unless Sarri (Napoli manager) tells me: ‘I have Tom, Dick and Harry who are reliable: you give up who you want’.”