After being linked with virtually every Big Six team there is over the past five years, transfer-rumour regular Kalidou Koulibaly is finally closing in on a move to the Premier League this summer.
Chelsea have opened talks with Napoli over a potential £34million deal for the defender, who has confirmed his proposed switch to Stamford Bridge is ‘on the right track’.
Koulibaly is now expected to become Thomas Tuchel’s third recruit of the summer, following Manchester City duo Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake to SW6 ahead of the new season.
Yet at the age of 31, why is he only arriving in England’s top flight now? Sportsmail has taken a closer look at Koulibaly’s journey ahead of his anticipated move to Chelsea.
Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly is finally closing in on a move to the Premier League with Chelsea
Born to Senegalese parents in France, Koulibaly first ventured into football at the age of eight with hometown club SR Saint-Die before Metz came calling four years later.
During his first stint with the Ligue 1 outfit, his gangly frame and rigid style failed to win over coaches who felt he lacked composure and control on the ball.
Koulibaly was therefore released by Metz in 2006 and he returned to SR Saint-Die as a crestfallen 15-year-old – and he knew improvements were needed.
From that point onwards the towering youngster modelled his game on France legend Lilian Thuram, saying in 2014: ‘He’s the player who inspired me. He gave me a lot of joy, alongside other stars who won the World Cup in 1998.
‘Thuram was an example on and off the pitch, and I hope to reach his level.’
After taking inspiration from Thuram, Koulibaly caught Metz’s eye again at the age of 18, with the now-Ligue 2 side offering him another chance to impress in their youth ranks.
Koulibaly started his career with Metz before completing a move to Belgian side Genk in 2012
The Senegal star has previously revealed he modelled his game on France icon Lilian Thuram
It was at this point when his footballing journey finally took off, as just one year later Metz were on hand with a professional contract having performed well for their reserve side. The boy from Saint-Dié-des-Vosges was up and running.
However, Koulibaly’s time in the pro ranks with Metz was marred by a series of error and confidence struggles. Manager Dominique Bijotat once said: ‘Every mistake made him lose his focus for the rest of the game.’
In his two seasons with the club he racked up 47 appearances but was…