Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has moved to reveal that Premier League leaders Chelsea submitted a €55 million proposal for Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

“As for Koulibaly, Chelsea had offered €55m, but I told Conte that I could not give up him up without first having a worthy substitute.”

There is a chance the deal could be revived when the Azzurri do find a quality successor to the Senegal star, as the Premier League side are desperate to improve their defensive options.

Kalidou Koulibaly has been in excellent form ever since he joined Napoli from Racing Genk three years ago, going on to score 2 goals in 84 Serie A outings.