Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Kalidou Koulibaly and Nemanja Matic Rumours

Chelsea's chances of signing Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly will receive a blow if the player signs a new contract reportedly set to include a release clause worth £76 million.

That's according to Italian source Sport Mediaset (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express).

The reports also revealed that Koulibaly has the chance to more than double his wages if he accepts Napoli's offer: "Koulibaly currently picks up £16,000 a week at Napoli and reportedly had the chance to quadruple those wages by moving to the Premier League. He is supposedly set to secure a £33,000-a-week deal that will extend his stay in Naples until 2021."

It's a tempting deal for Koulibaly, and one that could leave Chelsea frustrated. The Stamford Bridge club weren't shy about pursuing the 25-year-old during this summer's transfer window.

In fact, the Blues couldn't agree a deal worth £42 million, according to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard. He also noted how Chelsea were "prepared to offer the Senegal international a five-year deal worth more than £60,000-a-week."

Later on in August, Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph linked Chelsea manager Antonio Conte with a £60 million offer for Koulibaly. It was an inflated fee that many, including Rory Smith of the New York Times, felt Koulibaly didn't merit:

Still, regardless of the valuation, Conte needed to reinforce an ageing back four this summer. In particular, he needed more pace at the heart of Chelsea's defence.

Ultimately, though, Conte settled on bringing back former Chelsea man David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain for close to £34 million on transfer deadline day.

Luiz has attracted a reputation for being accident-prone and will be under pressure to prove he's made strides as a defender since leaving the Premier League in 2014. If the Brazilian struggles again, Chelsea's inability to wrap up a deal for Koulibaly will look costly.

Nemanja Matic Was Close to Leaving this Summer

One player who might have left the Blues during the summer window was tough-tackling midfielder Nemanja Matic. The Serbian international has revealed how close he came to the exit after Chelsea signed holding player N'Golo Kante from Premier League champions Leicester City.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Matic explained how Conte proved decisive in his decision to stay: “I spoke with the club and we both decided that it was best for the club and for me to stay. As I said, I’m very happy to be here. I want to improve my game and I’m sure Conte is the right coach to do that."

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Lewis revealed how Serie A giants Juventus wanted Matic to replace Paul Pogba. It's a move Matic would surely have found tempting once Kante signed.

The Frenchman seemed like Matic's obvious replacement. Yet, Kante's arrival has given Matic a little more freedom to express himself on the ball.

The 28-year-old has always been able to pick a pass and boasts a rocket for a shot. They are qualities he can now use more often, knowing Kante is around to share the defensive chores.

The latter's high-energy, harrying style also takes some of the pressure off Matic in defensive areas. Having Kante in seek-and-destroy mode means Chelsea can win the ball higher up the pitch. So it's no longer all down to Matic to shield the back four.

Having Matic and Kante together gives Conte's Chelsea the power in the middle to win anywhere. They also offer extra protection for a defence that still looks shaky, even after the return of Luiz.