Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Juventus.
Last summer, the Senegal international made the decision to end his long-term association with Napoli by moving to Stamford Bridge.
However, the £33m signing has struggled to justify his price tag with a number of rash decisions contributing to him not always being first choice.
While Koulibaly has still made 29 starts and two substitute outings in all competitions, it remains to be seen whether he will be regarded as an important player under the next head coach.
Chelsea are well stocked for options in the middle of their backline with Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah also options for the West Londoners.
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Furthermore, Mauricio Pochettino - who has emerged as the favourite to take over the reins in the summer - has allegedly told club officials that academy graduate Levi Colwill must be regarded as a key player from next season onwards.
With Chelsea not in a position to have six high-profile central defenders on their books, at least one departure is expected, and it appears that the frontrunner may be Koulibaly.
According to Gazetta dello Sport, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has told club officials that he would be interested in signing the 31-year-old.
The report says that Allegri is a long-term admirer of Koulibaly, who is proven in Serie A, and would ideally like to explore a deal for his signature.
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Juventus have recently been handed a reprieve with regards to their previously-imposed 15-point penalty, a development which has catapulted the club back into the Champions League qualification places in Italy's top flight.
In theory, that leaves the Turin giants with more funds to use in the summer, and it is claimed that Allegri wants a player of the stature of Koulibaly.
Despite any transfer becoming doubtful due to Koulibaly's loyalty to Napoli, it is suggested that the player is unhappy at Chelsea and may be open to an exit.
Chelsea are highly unlikely to be able to generate the £33m that they spent less than 12 months ago due to the player's age, yet the club are in a position where they would be open to a compromise to meet FFP criteria, partly a consequence of missing out on next season's Champions League.
Darren Plant
