Chelsea are the favourites to secure the services of Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly this summer. According to recent reports, the Blues are leading the chase to sign the Senegalese defender when the transfer window opens in the summer.
The former KRC Genk player has previously been linked with Arsenal and some sources believe that the Gunners are still interested in making a swoop for him. However, Antonio Conte’s side are currently ‘in the lead’ in pursuit of the Seria A ace’s signature but they will also face competition from Manchester United. It is believed that the North Londoners consider him as the ideal replacement for Per Mertesacker, who is set to retire at the end of the season.
Koulibaly has made 40 appearances for the Naples-based side, scoring 4 goals while providing one assist in all competitions. The 26-year-old joined Napoli from KRC Genk in the summer of 2014 and has put in a number of impressive performances during the course of this season. It is understood that Arsenal scouts were present during Napoli’s match versus RB Leipzig in the Europa League and they were keeping a keen eye on Koulibaly.
Wenger’s team are currently in the 6th position in the Premier League standings with a tally of 54 points in 32 matches and are just three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea going into the business end of the campaign. The Gunners recently managed to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory versus Southampton last weekend. However, they have to win the Europa League if they are to play Champions League football again in the next season.
Missing out on Koulibaly will be a huge blow for Arsenal as the club in dire need of strengthening their defence in the off-season. They have shipped in 43 league goals so far and with Mertesacker set to retire at the end of this campaign, they would need to buy a worthy replacement. At 26, Koulibaly still has his peak years ahead of him which Wenger’s side could look to utilise in the coming years.
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The Senegalese international is a great passer as well, having completed over 90% of his passes so far in the Serie A which makes him a perfect fit for the Gunners. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Koulibaly and whether he ends up making a switch to the Premier League in the near future.
