Napoli chief explains why Chelsea failed in their bid to sign £47m-rated Kalidou Koulibaly
Koulibaly was keen to link up with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte at Stamford, but the reason the deal failed to materialise has now been revealed by the Napoli president
CHELSEA failed in their attempts to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, because the Italians could not find a suitable replacement.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed the Blues made a massive £47million bid for the big Senegalese defender last summer, but the Serie A side stood firm and refused to do business.
De Laurentiis told beIN Sports:"Chelsea had offered €55m, but I told Conte that I could not give him up without first having a worthy substitute.
"I will not sell the player unless Sarri (Napoli manager) tells me: "I have Tom, Dick and Harry who are reliable: you give up who you want."
After Napoli held firm, Blues boss Antonio Conte surprisingly plumped for David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain late in the summer transfer window.
Despite the success of the Brazilian on his return to Stamford Bridge, Koulibaly's agent Bruno Satin has not ruled out a summer switch to Chelsea.
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Satin told Kiss Kiss Napoli radio:"Chelsea were interested but then they signed David Luiz and you also have John Terry and Gary Cahill at the club so there is a lot of competition there.
"We will see what happens. A lot of the improvements that Koulibaly has made in his game have been down to the coaching of Maurizio Sarri.";
Satin added:"Whatever happens in the future will depend on the president and whether or not he decides to evaluate any offers that may come in."
The Napoli stopper signed a new deal with the Serie A side, after last summer's transfer window, so he could cost Chelsea more than they bid for him last time.