Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Chelsea step up hunt for defender: Antonio Conte makes £34m bid
CHELSEA have firmed up their interest in Kalidou Koulibaly by submitting a £34million bid, according to reports.
Kalidou Koulibaly is on Chelsea's radar
The Napoli defender has emerged as a top target for Antonio Conte.
Reports last month suggested a £19m bid had been lodged by the Blues for the 25-year-old, however this was rejected with the Serie A giants holding out for around £30m.
Although John Terry was handed a new one-year deal, Conte hasn't concealed the necessity to strengthen his back four.
And according to the Daily Telegraph, Chelsea have come back to the table with a £34m bid for Koulibaly.
The offer is structured, the report claims, so Napoli would receive £31.5m up front with a further £2.5m going towards bonuses.
Koulibaly has emerged as the Blues' top target with Leonardo Bonucci wanted by Manchester City.
Chelsea saw four bids turned down for John Stones last summer, however City are also in the race for a player who is now being valued at closer to £50m.
The west London outfit finished 10th in the Premier League last term, and dispensed with Jose Mourinho midway through the campaign.