Chelsea is rumored to be set to pull out of its interest over Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly after the Italian Serie A club demanded £45 million for the Senegal international. The English Premier League giants are reportedly targeting Lazio's Stefan de Vrij as their second option.
Metro indicated that the Blues "could switch their focus" on the 24-year-old de Vrij "after becoming frustrated" with their negotiations with Partenopei, who have recently asked them to pay £45 million for the 25-year-old French-born Senegalese center back.
De Vrij is said to be available for only £15 million from Le Aquile and so Chelsea is tempted to buy him instead. Lazio is allegedly "not in a strong enough financial situation to turn down those kinds of offers if they come in" while the Dutch defender also had a history of recurring injuries and so a deal could come much quicker and smoother with them than with Napoli.
New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is looking to reinforce his three-man defensive line next season and is rumored to be considering de Vrij as an affordable "alternative option". There were also rumors that Conte will more likely utilize Blues legend John Terry to a bigger role off the pitch than on it and so he needs younger defenders moving forward.
Local reports in Italy said that Napoli turned down a £42 million bid by the Stamford Bridge residents for Koulibaly as they want an addition £3 million, which the Pensioners did not agree with.
Now, there is a chance that I Ciucciarelli will receive nothing as Chelsea turned their attention to 6-foot-2 Dutchman in Rome.
De Vrij actually missed 48 games last term due to a knee injury, but he is set to come back this coming season in full health.
The Mirror reported that Chelsea had been "in discussions with Napoli since the end of last season" for the potential transfer of Koulibaly, but the Serie A club had stalled the negotiations and asked for higher and higher prices every time, which led to the Premier League side's frustration.
Aside from de Vrij, the Blues are also targeting SL Benfica's 22-year-old Swede defender Victor Lindelof, the report said.