Chelsea transfer news: Blues set to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in £30m deal

The London side are reportedly on the verge of securing the Senegal international

Kalidou Koulibaly in action for Napoli (Getty)

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly set to sign for Chelsea in a £30m deal.

The relationship between the Senegalese centre-half and the Serie A is alleged to have turned sour due to contractual issues that arose towards the end of the season in Italy.

Having failed to reach agreement over a new contract with Napoli, the 25-year-old is now in the process of securing a lucrative severance package before confirming the Chelsea transfer, according to the Mirror.

Incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte is believed to be determined to land the Senegal international and hopes to build the Chelsea defence around the player.

Chelsea have been working on the deal since May but issues concerning image rights have supposedly complicated matters.

The player appears to have opted for a move to the Blues despite interest from Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.

Koulibaly would be Chelsea’s first signing in the summer transfer window though the club are also alleged to be closing in on Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi.

The likelihood of a move to Stamford Bridge has been heightened after Batshuayi wrote an open letter to Marseille supporters in which he commented that his departure from the club will be confirmed on Sunday.

Michy Batshuayi is another player linked to Chelsea (Getty Images)

Without outlining his destination, the 22-year-old striker said: “It will be made official tomorrow [Sunday], I will be leaving Olympique Marseille this summer.”

After fighting off interest from Crystal Palace and Tottenham, Chelsea are expected to seal the deal for the Belgium international in a £33m move.

The London side have also been linked to Everton’s John Stones but face stiff competition from a number of Premier League sides.