Major £60m Chelsea target hints at Barcelona, Real Madrid move

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has responded to claims from club legend Diego Maradona that he could play for Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Maradona said in March that the Senegalese centre-back has the ability to play for either of the La Liga giants, but suggested that the clubs weren’t moving for him due to racist views.

Koulibaly, who is currently participating at the World Cup, responded in an interview with SoFoot.

“I don’t know, everyone chooses the players they want, you can’t force a club to pick a player according to the colour of his skin,” he said.

“I only know that I have been impeccable on and off the pitch, then I let executives make the decisions. Some players of colour are in the best clubs and I hope to be a part of them one day. 

“Maybe I’ll see things differently at the end of my career, but right now I prefer to play my trump card.”

Koulibaly, 27, has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, if Maurizio Sarri takes over as head coach.

Chelsea have also been linked with signing Miralem Pjanic, who would be a huge coup for would-be new coach Maurizio Sarri. The Italian tactician is also thought to have persuaded Daniele Rugani to join from Juve and also wants to make this massive statement signing, if reports are to be believed.

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