Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Kalidou Koulibaly and Andreas Christensen Rumours

Chelsea's search for defensive recruits continues, but major target Kalidou Koulibaly will be staying at Napoli for his immediate future, according to the player's representative.

Agent Bruno Satin distanced himself and the centre-back from any prospective move whilst speaking to Radio CRC (h/t Mark Brus of Metro).

"I do not live in the past, all opportunities and negotiations have been forgotten," Satin said. "I look at the present and the future. Several clubs were interested in Koulibaly, but he is a Napoli player and he is focused on Napoli. President (Aurelio) De Laurentiis always said he was not for sale."

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Antonio Conte attempted to sign the powerful defender in the summer, as Everton also monitored his availability, according to Brus.

According to Italian source Sport Mediaset (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), the defender was offered a new deal to stay in Naples, with his wages doubled to £33,000-per-week to keep him tied to Serie A.

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

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Conte could now turn his attentions to one of his own players and focus on the development of rising star Andreas Christensen. The defender is in the second season of an extended loan period at Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Foals' sporting director Max Eberl told Sky Germany (h/t Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star) he expects the Dane to return to Stamford Bridge to execute his dream of representing the Blues in the Premier League.

"I hope it can happen, but I do not know if we're going to buy him. Probably not," Eberl said. "Perhaps there are other options to consider. We need to talk to Chelsea. Andreas is very attached to Chelsea. He also says that if he gets the chance to play for Chelsea, he'll go back."

Here is the defender, who can also play in central midfield, in action:

The 20-year-old is maturing into one of the most exciting defensive talents in Europe, and with Conte's rebuilding project ongoing, bringing the Denmark international back to England would appear a formality.

Koulibaly would have given Chelsea the alpha-male defender they require as John Terry's playing career at the Bridge expires, but with Christensen impressing in German football, he could be a strong squad addition mid-season whilst remaining one for the future.

Christensen has been on Chelsea's books since 2012 after attracting interest from major clubs, but he could become a mainstay under Conte if he can repeat his form in the Bundesliga back in the Premier League.