Juventus eye summer move for Kalidou Koulibaly?

Juventus have reportedly placed emphasis on signing Chelsea centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer transfer window.

The Senegal international, who signed for the Blues in a £33m deal last summer, has struggled to justify his price tag with a number of rash decisions that have prevented him from becoming a regular starter.

While the centre-back has made 29 starts and two substitute appearances in all competitions, it remains to be seen whether he will be regarded as an essential player under the next head coach.

Chelsea have a plethora of options in the heart of their defence, including Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah, and the Blues are unlikely to retain all six high-profile central defenders.

Furthermore, the anticipated appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach has reportedly seen academy graduate Levi Colwill being earmarked as a vital player for the future.

Given this situation, it appears that Koulibaly may be the odd one out, with the possibility of him leaving the Stamford Bridge looking more likely.

Italian outlet Gazetta dello Sport has reported that Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has identified Koulibaly as a potential summer signing.

The Bianconeri could potentially provide the 31-year-old defender with the platform to rediscover his best form and thrive once again.

It is suggested that Koulibaly is unhappy at Chelsea and may be open to a departure. It is highly unlikely that the Blues could recoup the £33m they spent on him less than a year ago due to his age, but they may be open to a compromise to meet Financial Fair Play criteria, which has become even more pressing after missing out on next season’s Champions League.