Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Kalidou Koulibaly and Marco Verratti Rumours

Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli has spoken out about his decision to reject a potential move to join Antonio Conte at Chelsea in the Premier League.

The highly rated Senegalese defender was linked with the Blues throughout the summer, but Conte convinced David Luiz to return to Stamford Bridge.

Koulibaly confirmed he is content in Naples and wants to carry on representing the Partenopei. He told Italian outlet Il Mattino (h/t Luke Gardener of the Daily Star):

"

I decided to stay because I feel good with this team.

I know that when I decide to leave, I will do it without problems.

A 30 thousand fine for my statements? They were written many things, but it is not true.

I have a good relationship with the management of the Napoli.

"

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Koulibaly has become one of the premier defenders in Europe after his reputation and stock exploded in Italy. He was viewed as a long-term replacement for John Terry as Conte enabled his revolution at the Bridge.

However, Chelsea's late move to capture Luiz from Paris Saint Germain changed the scenery in west London, and Koulibaly's immediate signature was no longer essential.

The 25-year-old defender is a cultured player and would have provided Conte with intelligence in his back four.

The centre-back made 33 appearances in Serie A last term, according to WhoScored.com, and attracted the attention of a host of top clubs.

WhoScored recent highlighted Koulibaly's productivity from the back line:

Gianluca Di Marzio's David Amoyal believes the player is one of the best in his position in Italy:

Here is the defender in action:

In other news, Chelsea target Marco Verratti has said he wishes to return to his homeland of Italy once his time at PSG is concluded.

Mark Brus of Metro.co.uk quoted the 23-year-old midfielder speaking about his long-term future.

"I’m fine in Paris, I am well set and I intend to stay there as long as possible," Verratti told reporters. "If one day I decide to leave the PSG, I do not hide that I would go back to Italy, but for now I think not."

Verratti has been at the French champions since his teenage years after joining from Pescara in 2012.

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

The Italy international represented his country under Conte's watch and would suit the manager's brand of football at Stamford Bridge.

The player is not a regular starter in the French capital and only featured in 18 matches in Ligue 1 last season, according to WhoScored.

Koulibaly would have been a fantastic capture for Chelsea, but he is unproven outside of Serie A and might have struggled with the demands of English football.

This was the case for Eliaquim Mangala at Manchester City, who saw his reputation transform from potentially world-class player to a regular substitute in a matter of months.

The signing of Luiz gives the Blues a player they know and previously loved. The Brazil international still has his best years ahead of him, and he has the added advantage of knowing the Premier League with acute precision.