Chelsea Transfer News: Fresh Blues Rumours, Latest Summer Signings Targeted

Chelsea will reportedly sign Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly for £30 million later this summer, having beaten Premier League rivals Arsenal to the punch.

If the deal goes through, it will complete a protracted pursuit of the rock-solid defender by the Blues, according to Neil Moxley of the Daily Mirror: "Chelsea have been plugging away trying to finalise a move since May, but complications over image rights proved difficult to surmount, with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis digging his heels in."

Moxley also noted how Koulibaly has "failed to reach agreement over a new contract with the Serie A club." That development has put him in play, and Chelsea haven't been alone in showing interest in the 25-year-old.

A £30 million bid from the Gunners was mooted by the Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson back in May. However, Napoli's stance appeared to change by late June, with Anthony Chapman of the Sun reporting how De Laurentiis told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli Koulibaly wouldn't be sold and instead would see out the remaining years of his contract.

If new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has tempted Napoli to relent, he'll be pulling off a coup ahead of the new season. The Blues can sign a defender with the pace and aerial power to adequately replace ageing skipper John Terry and provide Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma with an athletic partner.

Michy Batshuayi Confirms Marseille Exit

One more Chelsea target has at least confirmed he's moving on from his current club. Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi revealed he's leaving Ligue 1 side Marseille via Twitter (h/t BBC Sport): "This should be formalised tomorrow, I will leave Olympic Marseille this summer."

The same report also confirmed the attacker is set to join Chelsea in a "£33 million (€40 million) deal on Sunday."

Conte's squad needs a new presence at the heart of the forward line, especially since Diego Costa continues to be plagued by fitness issues and discipline problems. Even with Costa at his best, the Stamford Bridge club lacks depth at centre-forward.

Still just 22, Batshuayi has room to grow as both a finisher and link player. He's a powerhouse with the pace to stretch any defence, qualities that took him to 24 goals across all competitions at club level last season, per WhoScored.com.

Batshuayi can become a focal point in the type of two-striker formation Conte has favoured at international level with Italy, as well as with former club Juventus.

After a disastrous title defence, Chelsea needed to improve athletically at both ends of the team. Koulibaly would take care of things at the back, while Batshuayi represents intriguing potential up front.