Kalidou Koulibaly headlines our Rumour Mill as Chelsea plan raid for Napoli powerhouse

David Cooper - Writer 12:33 29/04/2018
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  • Though the summer transfer window is still a couple of months away, that hasn’t stopped the rumours of players potentially being on the move.

    Across the world of football, there remains plenty of activity and stories that have football fans talking.

    Here, we look at the latest transfer deals that could happen when the market reopens in June.

    Get in touch with your thoughts too via Twitter and Facebook.

    KALIDOU KOULIBALY

    Chelsea are still monitoring the Napoli defender and could pounce for their long-term target as soon as the transfer window opens in June.

    According to Tuttosport, the Blues view the 26-year-old powerhouse as a like-for-like replacement for the ageing Gary Cahill and have the funds available to meet his £80million (Dh404m) valuation.

    Napoli, who are still pushing Juventus hard in the Serie A title race, are fearful they could lose several of their top stars in the close season should coach Maurizio Sarri not receive assurances from the board that they have the financial muscle in place to compete with the Old Lady again.

    Senegal international Koulibaly, who has grown into being one of the standout centre-backs in world football, is set to make a call on his future once this campaign wraps up.

    NAPLES, ITALY - MARCH 03: Kalidou Koulibaly of SSC Napoli in action during the serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma - Serie A at Stadio San Paolo on March 3, 2018 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

    Naples star: Koulibaly.

    SOKRATIS PAPASTATHOPOULOS

    Arsenal, Juventus and AC Milan will lock horns to land the Borussia Dortmund ace this summer, Sport Bild reports.

    The 29-year-old Greek centre-back, who spent two seasons playing with the Rossoneri between 2010-2012, is highly-rated and admired for his consistency at the back.

    An offer in the region of £20m (Dh100m) could be enough to convince the Westfalenstadion club to move him on, though Papastathopoulos is thought to be happy at the Black and Yellows.

    Milan are believed to have the upper hand in the chase for his signature given their previous connection with the player.

    DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 21: Sokratis Papastathopoulos #25 of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Signal Iduna Park on April 21, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)

    Papastathopoulos is a mainstay in defence for Dortmund.

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