UPDATE: Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly Completes Saudi Pro League Move

UPDATE: Sunday, June 25 at 8:35 pm

Kalidou Koulibaly has completed his move to the Saudi Pro League club, Al Hilal.

The defender will link up there with the former Wolves player Ruben Rúben Neves who recently made the switch to perform in the Middle East.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted this Sunday, June 25: “Official, confirmed. Kalidou Koulibaly joins Al Hilal on €23m fee to Chelsea — permanent transfer on three-year deal.  #CFC #Saudi He’s gonna play together with Rúben Neves”.

Official, confirmed. Kalidou Koulibaly joins Al Hilal on €23m fee to Chelsea — permanent transfer on three year deal. 🔵🇸🇦 #CFC #Saudi

He’s gonna play together with Rúben Neves. pic.twitter.com/WCufevVeIr

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2023

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Saturday, June 24 at 2:22 pm

Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly appears to be on the verge of completing a move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

According to a tweet this Saturday, June 24, for the respected transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Senegal international only has to pass his medical tests.

He wrote: “Understand Chelsea and Al Hilal have approved all contracts for the transfer of Kalidou Koulibaly to Saudi side.  #CFC #AlHilal Koulibaly will complete medicals, sign the contract and then be unveiled this weekend as new Al Hilal player. Done deal, here we go confirmed”.

Understand Chelsea and Al Hilal have approved all contracts for the transfer of Kalidou Koulibaly to Saudi side. 🔵🇸🇦 #CFC #AlHilal

Koulibaly will complete medicals, sign the contract and then be unveiled this weekend as new Al Hilal player.

Done deal, here we go confirmed. pic.twitter.com/NsDGGgPUtp

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 24, 2023

Should the deal go through then Koulibaly will join the exodus of stars from Stamford Bridge since Mauricio Pochettino took over from Frank Lampard.

He arrived in London from Serie A giants Napoli on July 16, 2022, in a deal believed to have been in the region of £33 million. His previous reputation as a top defender in Italy was never really replicated in the Premier League though.

Although born and raised by Senegalese parents in France, Koulibaly chose to play his international football for the African nation, despite the best efforts by the then-French coach, Didier Deschamps to convince him to represent Les Bleus.

Chelsea captain César Azpilicueta is also said to be heading out of the exit doors. The Spanish international full-back is thought to have spurned offers from the Middle East in favour of a move to Inter Milan in Italy.

Fabrizio Romano tweeted today: “César Azpilicueta, just waiting for Chelsea to give the green light to mutual termination of his contract. It’s the final step to let him leave the club immediately, up to the club  #CFC Inter have agreed personal terms with Azpilicueta on two-year deal waiting to sign soon”.

César Azpilicueta, just waiting for Chelsea to give the green light to mutual termination of his contract. It's the final step to let him leave the club immediately, up to the club 🔵 #CFC

Inter have agreed personal terms with Azpilicueta on two year deal waiting to sign soon. pic.twitter.com/axb7IIkrjj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 24, 2023

Pochettino has to trim the squad that he inherited in order to rebuild it for the upcoming season. Several big names have departed, including Portuguese star Joao Felix, who returned to his parent club, Atletico Madrid.

Mateo Kovacic is expected to join Manchester City in the next few days, while N’Golo Kante has already signed a deal to play in Saudi Arabia.