The defender's future is far from certain with a host of Premier League clubs chase his signature, while Napoli want to find a replacement before they let him leave

EXCLUSIVE

The battle between Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton for the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli is set to be resolved.

The 25-year-old was unhappy with the Serie A side’s latest contract offer and publicly declared that he wants to leave, having fallen out with president Aurelio De Laurentiis over an image rights deal.

All three Premier League clubs are still looking to bolster their defence as they prepare to start their domestic campaigns at the weekend.

Koulibaly, though, has another offer on the table from Napoli, with De Laurentiis insistent on holding onto him, and his agent expects his future to be settled soon.

"Although our discussions at the moment are confidential," Bruno Satin told Goal. "We will be able to announce something in the next few days, two or three days."

Chelsea have had at least one bid rejected by Napoli, and Antonio Conte named the centre back on his shortlist to improve a defence which declined after their title win in 2014-15.

Conte was disappointed with his team's defending in their final pre-season game against Werder Bremen, which they won 4-2, and reiterated his need to improve that part of the squad.

Goal has been told that the former Juventus manager has had a series of transfer meetings upon his return to London after their pre-season tour of Austria, America and Germany.

Despite being offered Koulibaly by his representatives, Arsenal are yet to make an offer, but are watching the situation after suffering a bit of a defensive crisis with injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista.

Everton have money to spend after selling John Stones to Manchester City for £47.5m and have been boosted by the huge Premier League television deal as well as Farhad Moshiri's recent takeover of the controlling stake in the club.