Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia have verbally agreed to the transfer of Kalidou Koulibaly, and he will soon join them.
Kalidou Koulibaly, who is reportedly close to leaving Chelsea, will join the Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Middle Eastern club and the Blues have verbally agreed, while the specifics of the transfer fee are still unknown. The defender will commit to Al Hilal for three years.
Chelsea and its supporters were becoming concerned about Kalidou Kouibaly's future. The defender came to Stamford Bridge with a strong reputation thanks to his years of outstanding play for Napoli, but he fell short of expectations.
Koulibaly was temporarily benched during a rough season before coming back as other players were injured. The price and salary Chelsea spent to sign the 32-year-old defender last summer were insufficient for his performances.
For a period there were ideas of going back to Italy. But as soon as Saudi Arabia showed interest, there was only one place to go. The two teams verbally agreed on the transfer cost, and the 32-year-old defender is now expected to join Al Hilal.
Koulibaly will sign a three-year contract, which will include the time left on his Chelsea contract. At this point, it's still unclear what the wages and transfer fee will be. But because of the talent he brings on the field, the sophisticated defence is probably going to receive a large package.
Chelsea will also get a much-needed financial boost to help them out. The rumours that a Saudi Arabian delegation was in contact with the Blues over three of its players sparked the rumours. Aside from that, Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and Hakim Ziyech were the targets, although N'Golo Kante had already joined Al-Ittihad.
The clubs in question are also interested in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But with the Koulibaly transfer, the agreements have begun to take shape. Soon, announcements regarding Mendy and Ziyech are anticipated as Chelsea looks to get rid of deadwood from a huge, unmanageable roster.
Thomas Partey of Arsenal is one of the players the Saudi Arabian league plans to seek. They has succeeded in securing the highly publicised transfer of midfielder Ruben Neves from Wolves, and they may continue to pursue the recruitment of other great players to the Middle East.
Understand Al Hilal are now closing in on Kalidou Koulibaly deal, here we go! 🚨🔵🇸🇦 #CFC #AlHilal
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023
Verbal agreement reached with Chelsea.
Personal terms also agreed on a three year contract — he’ll join Rúben Neves.
Contracts now being checked… and then signed.
Here we go 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/2616cqGMlU
