Chelsea setback as Premier League rival enters race for defender – report
Everton could compromise Chelsea's attempts to sign Kalidou Koulibaly, according to Daily Mirror
Chelsea are worried that Everton could scupper their proposed deal to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, according to reports in the British media.
The Daily Mirror claims that Chelsea are concerned that Everton’s interest in the Senegal international could drive up Napoli’s fee for the centre-half.
The story goes on to state that Chelsea are willing to pay a fee of around £34m for the defender but Everton are ready to eclipse that figure thanks to the funds of their new billionaire owner, Farhad Moshiri.
New Blues manager Antonio Conte has been linked with a number of different defenders in the summer transfer window but the Italian is yet to make any defensive reinforcements.
In fact, the 46-year-old’s only summer recruit so far is Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi after Chelsea agreed a deal with Ligue 1 side Marseille earlier this month.
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Chelsea have been previously linked with a move for England and Everton centre-half John Stones during Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge of the west London side.
The four-time Premier League winners finished in tenth place in the table after a turbulent 2015-16 campaign.
