Chelsea ready to put €9.5m a year on the table for experienced defender

Chelsea’s desperate dash for central defenders is going… not entirely to plan.

We’re a month into the summer now, and there’s not been a single signing made at the back for the Blues. The Jules Kounde deal looks dead, and Bayern Munich have gazumped us for Matthijs de Ligt.

One player who is still seemingly available is Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli.

Chelsea are willing to offer the defender €9.5m a year in wages, according to Caughtoffside’s report, which would make him one of the better paid defenders in the league.

But a top tier player with loads of experience could be worth it, especially if the transfer fee isn’t as steep as it could be with some other players.

Given how our pursuit of other defenders is going, we might end up in a situation where we are beggars who can’t really be choosers. It’s going to be an interesting few weeks.