Recent revelations have showed that Chelsea really wanted to get Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly during the summer.

Sky Sports reported that Chelsea’s bid of £38 million was rejected in July, but the club’s chairman has said that the Blues actually re-submitted a bid of £58 million in a bid to get the defender this summer.

Aurelio De Laurentiis said Chelsea came to them more than once as they really wanted the defender before they turned their attention to their former player David Luiz last minute. Paris St Germain released the Brazilian to join them in defense, else the Blues would have had to wait till January for an addition.

“They offered to me £30, 35, 40, 45, 50 [million]. Mr Conte I said ‘Marina [Granovskaia, Chelsea Director] is behind me, follow me,’ I offered him that. Last moment, two days before the closing of the market, I hear £58 [million] – something like that,” De Laurentiis said.

The deal couldn’t be completed, and Koulibaly eventually renewed his contract with Napoli that would ensure he remains with the Serie A side till 2021. However, De Laurentiis hinted that the deal doesn’t mean he still couldn’t be sold.

“Koulibaly I need here to make the match. I need to play, so I need the players. Koulibaly, this year, will remain here. Next year, we will speak about,” he said.

When asked to confirm if Conte was really desperate to add Koulibaly this term, De Laurentiis confirmed positively. When asked if Conte made an offer of £58 million, De Laurentiis said:

“Yes. He will never say it is true because I know Antonio. Ciao Antonio.”

Chelsea’s defence still needs work as they have steadily dropped from the top ranking teams in English Premier League. There is a rumour that the club owner Roman Abramovich is willing to splash £60 million to sign Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus in January.