DONE DEAL: Chelsea has their replacement for Antonio Rudiger
The Blues completed the signing in record time for their next great centreback
"Antonio Rudiger was a great player in the last year and a half for me. We have to find a solution for next season. He was a locker room leader, who always demanded the maximum from his teammates", were the words of Thomas Tuchel when the Real Madrid made the signing official. For the German coach, reinforcing the defense was a primary objective and now he can be calmer because Kalidou Koulibaly looks set to arrive.
Kalidou Koulibaly will be leaving Napoli after nearly 10 years
The Senegalese defender, who has been at Napoli since 2014, and whose contract was set to end in June 2023, will be the new Chelsea player. As reported, Koulibaly will sign a deal for three seasons for 10 million euros per season and with the option to extend the contract for a fourth season.
The fee is said to be worth 40 million euros for the complete package. The Senegalese will be traveling to London in the next few hours to undergo his medical examination, sign his contract and be introduced to Thomas Tuchel's team.
Curiously, this signing goes against Koulibaly's words from a while back. Some time ago, Valter de Maggio, director of the Italian outlet Kiss Kiss Napoli, revealed that he had a dialogue with Koulibaly, where the defender confessed his wish for the future: "If I leave Naples, I would only do it to move to three other clubs in the world: Guardiola's Manchester City, Real Madrid or FC Barcelona".
Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea, here we go! Full agreement in place for %u20AC40m fee add-ons completed, bid accepted. Napoli are checking the documents then it will be official. %uD83D%uDEA8%uD83D%uDD35 #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 13, 2022
Koulibaly will sign long-term deal for %u20AC10m net salary per season. First centre back, signed. pic.twitter.com/Flr0XSN7wu
This move, however, does fulfil one of Kalidou Koulibaly's wishes, as it was reported he favoured a move outside of Italy, due to his respect for Napoli and their fans. The Senegalese, who was a key part of Luciano Spalletti's side last season, as he has been for Napoli for a while, said a few months back: "If I ever did leave Napoli, I would do it on my terms. There would be no argument and I would speak to the president". Now, he will be tasked with filling the gap left by Rudiger at Chelsea.
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