Chelsea identify “silky” £43m star as prime target, talks have now been opened
Chelsea are pushing to sign Werder Bremen star Karim Coulibaly, and the German side’s asking price has now been revealed.
The Blues have been keen to bring in a new centre-back throughout the summer transfer window, as stated by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who revealed Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix had been identified as their number one target.
However, despite holding talks, the west Londoners are yet to get a deal for Lacroix over the line, and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde has been offered as a potential alternative, while Coulibaly has also emerged as a major target.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Chelsea have been keen to bring in some more experienced players this summer, targeting Rayo Vallecano star Pep Chavarria and Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka. However, BlueCo have developed a reputation for signing young talents, so the interest in Coulibaly isn’t surprising, especially because they are very keen to sign a centre-back, as shown by the interest in Lacroix. |
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Finances |
The 19-year-old is valued at around €40m – €50m (£34m – £43m) by the German club, which would be a relatively expensive fee for such a young player. |
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Insight |
Despite his age, the youngster is already a first-team regular for Werder Bremen, making 27 appearances in the Bundesliga last season. Usefully, he is capable of playing at centre-back, left-back and in defensive midfield. |
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Impact |
The teenager could be brought in as a replacement for Trevoh Chalobah, who the Blues are willing to sell, amid interest from Fulham. However, Lacroix should perhaps remain the top target, considering the Palace star is already proven in the Premier League. |
Chelsea identify Karim Coulibaly as prime target
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have now entered negotiations to sign Coulibalywho could cost between €40m – €50m (£34m – £43m), having identified the young centre-back as their prime target.
The Blues are pushing to get a deal over the line, with new manager Xabi Alonso eager to bolster his options at the back.
Why Maxence Lacroix could have the edge on Karim Coulibaly
Chelsea clearly need to improve their options at centre-back if they are to start competing for top honours once again, with their defensive frailties being exposed in the round of 16 Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, losing 8-2 on aggregate.
However, Lacroix may be a more suitable option than Coulibaly. First and foremost, the Palace defender could be in his prime years at 26-years-old, while he has also proven himself in the Premier League, making 70 appearances over the past two seasons.
The Bremen star, on the other hand, has made a total of just 27 senior appearances, albeit he received 2,122 minutes of game time in the Bundesliga last season, which is likely to have benefitted his development.
However, the five-cap France international averaged 7.3 clearances and 1.3 interceptions and 1.7 tackles per 90 in the Premier League last season, compared to figures of 4.5, 1.1 and 1.1 from Koulibaly in the Bundesliga, which indicates Lacroix is currently the superior player.
Fabrizio Romano shares update on Chelsea’s negotiations to sign Pep Chavarria
He wants to move to Stamford Bridge.
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