Chelsea could reportedly throw a record amount of money in Napoli's direction.
According to Jason Burt of The Telegraph, Chelsea is making its move for Kalidou Koulibaly, and the transfer may be completed for a club-record fee of £60 million (€69.4 million). Reports in Italy have suggested that an offer of up to £48 million (€55.4 million) was made, but the Blues are apparently prepared to go "far higher" to force the Partenopei into a sale.
One week ago, the Guardian reported that Napoli rejected a £42.5-million (€49.1-million) offer Chelsea made for Kouliably, holding out for a fee closer to £50 million (€57.8 million).
Koulibaly's agent, Bruno Satin, confirmed Chelsea's interest in his client in July, and revealed one week ago that the Senegalese defender's future would soon be resolved, saying: "We will be able to announce something in the next few days."
A product of FC Metz's youth academy, Kouliably made 33 appearances for Napoli in Serie A last season, during which time he established himself as one of the most intimidating centre-backs in European football. The 25-year-old was also the target of racial abuse in February, forcing a fixture between the Partenopei and Lazio to be stopped after supporters of the latter seemingly made monkey chants each time he touched the ball.