Napoli have rejected a £52m bid from Chelsea for Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Blues failed in their attempts to sign the Senegalese defender last summer but have persisted in their interest.

However, according to The Sun, Napoli is determined to ward off Chelsea's advances as they aim to end Juventus' domination of the Serie A.

Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has secured stars Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne to new deals and he believes he can give the Old Lady some serious competition next season.

For Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, with Champions League football returning to Stamford Bridge next season, he is looking to boost his depth at the centre-back position and views Koulibaly as an ideal signing.