Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Leonardo Bonucci and Kalidou Koulibaly Rumours

Chelsea may struggle in their attempts to land defensive reinforcements in future following reports summer targets Leonardo Bonucci and Kalidou Koulibaly are each set to sign contract extensions with their clubs.

According to Goal's Romeo Agresti, Bonucci is poised to sign a one-year contract extension with Juventus, a deal that will make any future approach from the Blues all the more difficult to pull off.

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The Italy international's current contract doesn't expire until 2020, but so adamant are Juve to keep the centre-back around that they're also said to be prepared to boost his wages to €5 million (£4.2 million) per year.

Bonucci has risen to become a vital component both at club level and with the national team, and BT Sport commentator Adam Summerton outlined him as one of Italy's go-to building blocks for the future:

The 29-year-old was one of the foremost defenders associated with a move to Stamford Bridge, where he could have linked up with former coach Antonio Conte before Chelsea re-signed David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain.

By missing out on his former Juve general, that option also means we may not see Conte deploy a three-man defence in west London after Di Marzio translator David Amoyal hinted that tactic was used due to personnel:

Signing Bonucci in his prime would have been a major coup for Chelsea, but a contract extension in Turin would surely see any chances of landing the six-time Serie A champion reduced to rubble.

Meanwhile, Koulibaly is also said to be nearing a two-year contract extension with Napoli, per Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness), and Squawka provided a rundown of his stellar 2015-16 numbers:

According to the report, the new deal will run until 2021 and come complete with a release clause of €70 million (£59 million), although Napoli are attempting to raise it to €80 million (£67.4 million).

Consistent standout performances in Napoli's defence last season saw Koulibaly garner attention as one of Conte's major summer targets, and WhoScored.com highlight exactly why:

The Senegal international is said to "prefer a lower figure" in his release clause so as to make for an easier getaway should he wish to leave, suggesting Koulibaly would be open to a move in future.

The big question remaining is whether Chelsea will return in their attempt to recruit Koulibaly, with a move for the player set to become all the pricier if he agrees new terms at the Stadio San Paolo.