Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has returned to his parents hometown in Ngano, Senegal.
The Saudi-bound centre-back arrived to a heroic welcome after years of plying his trade in Europe, where he was born.
Although he was born in France, he decided to represent Senegal at senior level, helping them win their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022.
Koulibaly to Al Hilal ✅🔵 #CFC #Saudi
Deal set to be announced with fee close to €23/24m.
🎥 @taggatsnpic.twitter.com/xzV3xetGH3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 24, 2023
Koulibaly starred as Senegal defeated Brazil on Wednesday in an international friendly in Portugal.
Following the team’s return to Dakar, Koulibaly travelled to his parents hometown where he commissioned a health facility project, as reported by 13Football.com.
In a video shared on social media, hundreds of Ngano native were spotted riding motor cycles as they cheered him on.
Meanwhile, Koulibaly’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain as clubs from Saudi Arabia circle around for his signature.
According to reports, Chelsea and Al Hilal have agreed a deal for the services of the experience defender.
Koulibaly joined Chelsea in the summer of 2022 from Italian outfit Napoli but injuries affected his first season with the Blues in the Premier League.
Koulibaly wants to stay at Chelsea
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has stated emphatically that he is ready to remain at Stamford Bridge for many years adding that his better form would soon return.
The Blues broke the bank last summer to lure the Senegalese to Stamford Bridge, but he has been struggling to justify the money the Premier League side paid Napoli for his signature.
Many fans have expressed their anger over the form of Koulibaly with them saying that the club should get him sold at the end of the term.
Senegal beat Brazil in friendly
Sadio Mane inspired Senegal to victory in an international friendly against Brazil at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Portugal on Tuesday night.
The Bayern Munich forward scored twice as the Teranga Lions recorded a deserving 4-2 victory over the Selacaos.
Brazil took an early lead through West Ham midfielder, Lucas Paqueta, but Senegal responded before the break through Habib Diallo.
Moises Caicedo deal
According to a report by Football Insider, Moises Caicedo is closing in on joining Chelsea in the summer transfer window. The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has verbally agreed to the West London club’s contract offer. And a deal will set Chelsea back by over £80 million.
Moises Caicedo has taken little time to establish himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. The 21-year-old only became a regular for Brighton & Hove Albion in the second half of the 2021/22 season. But he came leaps and bounds in the recently-concluded campaign.
The Ecuadorian international turned out 43 times across all competitions, chipping in with one goal and one assist. And Caicedo’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with several high-profile clubs setting their sights on him. Meanwhile, Chelsea might be his next destination if he leaves Brighton.
The Blues hold a long-standing interest in the young midfielder and tried to sign him in the January transfer window. In addition to Chelsea, the player was also the subject of interest from Arsenal, who submitted a record bid for him. But Brighton & Hove Albion held on to their prized asset and got him to sign a new deal.
That has strengthened Brighton’s position, with the Seagulls now demanding an astronomical price for him. Widespread reports have suggested Brighton will ask for over £80 million to part with Caicedo’s services. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Arsenal have shown interest in him again this summer, with the former leading the race to sign him.
Recent reports have also claimed that Chelsea will likely offer around £80 million to secure Caicedo’s services. And Fraser Fletcher of Football Insider has revealed that the 21-year-old has verbally agreed to Chelsea’s contract offer. So the Blues are closing in on signing the youngster this summer.
An official bid from Chelsea should arrive soon. And a deal worth over £80 million is on the cards. It will be interesting to see if the West London club can wrap up the agreement for Caicedo soon to make him the next marquee signing after Christopher Nkunku.
Chelsea are advancing on Moisés Caicedo deal. Talks progressing on the player side, contract proposal made — personal terms close to being agreed.
Deal not done yet — it will take time.
Chelsea expect to negotiate for £80m fee. Pact with De Zerbi will guarantee to leave.
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