Kalidou Koulibaly's former agent Bruno Satin has revealed that Chelsea had a bid of in excess of £52 million turned down by Napoli for the defender's services when Antonio Conte was in charge of the Blues.
The 29-year-old has often been the talk of Premier League transfer windows with the likes of Manchester United reported to have had a £100 million bid turned down in the past and Manchester City are though to be interested in making a move for the Senegal international this summer.
The Italian side's chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis put a stop to any potential move to London however.
Bruno Satin told Marte Sport Live (via Sport Witness ): “He always remains among the best defenders in the world,”
“Three years ago, his rating was very high, and Conte’s Chelsea also arrived. They offered 58 million-plus some bonuses, but De Laurentiis refused.
“Koulibaly was also strongly desired by Benitez. When we did this, he was at the helm of Napoli, and I had a personal relationship with Benitez, but Bigon and Micheli were behind it.
“Today, however, the level has increased so much that it is difficult to strengthen Napoli.”
Frank Lampard's side have struggled in defence this season, and many would still see bringing Koulibaly to Stamford Bridge as a coup.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this month he delivered an update on his future, saying: "In football, you never know what happens. I never spoke to Napoli about leaving. If we have to find a solution, we will find it, but I have never talked about the transfer market.
"I also read in the newspapers about my future. But I only want to think about playing, I am 100 per cent [committed to] Napoli and it bothers me to be linked, every day, to this or that European club.
"We will see what the president (Aurelio De Laurentiis) will decide and if he proposes to extend my contract, that would allow me to end my career here.
"At the moment, I still have a three-year contract and I am not thinking of anything else but Napoli."
