Chelsea failed to land Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly shortly before the transfer window slammed shut, according to the club’s outspoken president Aurelio de Laurentiis.

De Laurentiis confirmed that he rejected a bid of €58 million from the Blues with the reasons more political than financial.

Napoli had already sold Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus and De Laurentiis feared a further backlash from the fans if he gave the green light to the sale of the coveted defender.

‘My friend Conte will say it is not true but Chelsea offered me, in the last few days of the window, €58m for Koulibaly. I explained to them that this year I could not sell him, but we will see next year.’ said De Laurentiis.

Koulibaly has a deal at the Italy club until June 2021 with speculation that the new deal includes a release clause of more than £60m.