Chelsea Transfer News: Huge Kalidou Koulibaly Bid Considered, Latest Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly considering paying Napoli's £60 million asking price for Kalidou Koulibaly as they seek defensive reinforcements this summer. 

According to Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard, the Partenopei are hoping the Senegal international will sign a new deal at the club to keep him for at least one more year, which will include a £60 million release clause.

However, the Blues would like Koulibaly this summer and are weighing up whether to pre-empt the deal by offering that amount before the window shuts.

Chelsea shipped 53 goals last season as they finished 10th in the Premier League, with John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic all failing to live up to their usual standards, while Kurt Zouma suffered a season-ending knee injury from which he is still recovering.

Terry will be 36 in December, so it's clear Chelsea are in urgent need of a new centre-back.

Koulibaly is a powerful and imposing figure in defence.

Indeed, he appears to have all the tools to thrive in the Premier League and adapt to the rigours of the English top-flight from the slower-paced Serie A.

Football journalist Kristof Terreur hailed his approach to the game off the pitch also:

Per Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol, Napoli would almost certainly be willing to part with the defender at the reported price:

Chelsea will most likely improve markedly under new manager Antonio Conte, but it will be difficult to keep up with their title rivals without a new centre-back.

Such a fee would be an incredible sum to part with for a player who has only emerged in the last year or two as a top talent, but it may be a price Chelsea have to pay if they wish to mount a serious title challenge.

Meanwhile, according to the Sun's Dan Pellegrini, the Blues are reportedly closing in on the capture of AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez, who looks set to replace Asmir Begovic as Chelsea's No. 2, with the Bosnian hoping to leave in search of more regular first-team football.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

Former Real Madrid stopper Lopez is no stranger to the bench, after teenage sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma unseated him at the San Siro.

Earlier in August, Milan boss Vincenzo Montella admitted he could be set to leave. Per James Benson of the Daily Star, he said: "He is a great goalkeeper but he doesn't know what the future holds for him as it has not been decided. He has not ruled anything out."

It seems unlikely the 34-year-old would pose too much of a threat to Thibaut Courtois' position between the sticks, but he would be an experienced back-up who should be capable of performing when relied upon.