Chelsea have been encouraged in their pursuit of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

Corriere della Sera says Juventus are being blocked from negotiating for the Senegal international.

The Partenopei are refusing Juventus' bid at all costs, with Koulibaly eyed as a replacement for Matthijs de Ligt.

That may scupper the Blues' move for De Ligt, conversely.

However, it opens the door for Chelsea to make a firm move for Koulibaly, though they'll face competition for the £30m-rated stopper.