Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Kalidou Koulibaly, Cristiano Ronaldo Rumours

Chelsea are in the hunt for Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli after the imposing defender's agent denied his client will sign for Everton.

Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star said the giant centre-back has "attracted the attention" of the Blues, Manchester United and Southampton after a string of outstanding displays in Italy.

Koulibaly's agent Bruno Satin told Radio Crc (h/t FootballItalia.net) the Senegal international will not be arriving at Goodison Park after proving his worth in Naples:

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Could he move to Everton? No, Kalidou will not leave Napoli.

He’s playing for something important. His contract has a long way to go, and it’s only at the end of the season, if Napoli receive offers they want to consider that we’ll talk.

I don’t know if the club wants to put faith in Koulibaly long-term, but I met [sporting director Cristiano] Giuntoli in Denmark and he’s very happy with the work my client is doing.

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The summer was hard for Kalidou, but he was persuaded to stay at Napoli because he knew this would be a good year for the club.

Of course, Koulibaly still has to improve, and he can do it, but he’s aware of his ability after last season and still had more desire to show his value.

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Chelsea have struggled in defence since winning the Premier League, and coach Jose Mourinho has found his tenure under fire as he tries to get his team performing once more.

John Terry is no longer the reliable force he once was for the Special One, and the Blues manager will have to look towards a player like Koulibaly to provide power and strength. 

The tall defender is a cultured player, as highlighted by the Europa League:

The African player has been superb this season, appearing 13 times in Serie A and Europe for his club, per WhoScored.com.

The 24-year-old has quickly proved he is a big-game player and would suit the back line of one of Europe's elite clubs. 

Koulibaly would be an upgrade in terms of technique on Terry and Gary Cahill, but it is questionable whether he has the experience to be an immediate success at Chelsea. 

Mourinho certainly needs to reshape his back four, and the defender would add a youthful edge to an ageing rear-guard action. 

United Believe They Have the Edge on CR7

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Manchester United think they are one step ahead of Chelsea in the race for Cristiano Ronaldo, should the icon decide to leave Real Madrid. 

The Sun reported both Premier League teams want the attacker, but the Red Devils believe the Portugal wizard will "snub" the Blues. 

Spanish newspaper AS (h/t Jack de Menezes in the Independent) suggested Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would make a move for Ronaldo as he looks to rebuild after this season's failures, using Eden Hazard as bait to capture the superstar. 

Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

In Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography, journalist and writer Guillem Balague indicates United remain firmly in the 30-year-old's heart, and that he has considered a return to the club he left to join Real (h/t Sky Sports):

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Cristiano Ronaldo still dreams of returning to Manchester United. The English club informed his agent in 2013 that they have enough financial power to secure his return.

In fact, everything has been in place since his departure in case both parties decide to take that step

[...]

In summer 2014 he told a Real Madrid player who was about to leave Los Blancos that he saw himself at United in two years' time.

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Buying Ronaldo would be extremely difficult for Chelsea, but if the owner is serious about rebuilding, he has to find world-class talent from the top echelons of the game.

Ronaldo is now on the wrong side of 30 but still has the potency to improve any attack in the world. 

Diego Costa has struggled to be the man Chelsea need in the No. 9 position, leaving a clear spot open for CR7 if he chooses to land at Stamford Bridge in the next chapter of his career.