Chelsea target Koulibaly renews Napoli contract until 2021

After fighting off strong interest from Chelsea during the summer transfer window, Napoli has tied down coveted centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly to a new five-year contract until 2021.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the news Monday on his Twitter account.

The club didn't announce whether it included a release clause in the new deal - something it has done in the past with its biggest players.

The Partenopei reportedly rejected an offer exceeding €50 million from the Blues, and even though Koulibaly had pushed for a move, one didn't materialise.

Koulibaly's agent had confirmed in July that he would leave southern Italy for "economic reasons," as a contract renewal didn't seem imminent at the time.

But both parties eventually agreed to new terms that will most certainly include a pay raise.

The Senegalese defender became a hot property following his performances last season for Napoli, starting 32 times as Maurizio Sarri's men pushed Juventus for the Serie A title.

They ultimately came up short, but Koulibaly proved his big-game credentials. He is a physically imposing centre-back with good aerial ability and a penchant to push forward.

Chelsea abandoned its chase as the transfer deadline approached. Antonio Conte instead sanctioned late moves for Marcos Alonso and David Luiz in a bid to shore up an aging defence corps.