There has been a piece of gossip going around Wesley Fofana. He said that Chelsea sold “the strongest player he’s ever seen,” Kalidou Koulibaly, for £17 million according to sources. Let us see what is accurate, what is inaccurate, and what we know.
What is Accurate? Wesley Fofana Words
1. Kalidou Koulibaly Transfer to Chelsea
Chelsea signed Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly in 2022 for around £33.8 million (approximately 40 million Euros).
That makes the reported fee of £17 million quite incorrect. It is close to half of the true fee.
2. Sale of Koulibaly to Al-Hilal
Chelsea sell Koulibaly to Al-Hilal, a Saudi Pro League team in middle of year 2023. The fee was not made public. Reports (by others and Fabrizio Romano) suggest it could have been as much as 23 million Euros (well over £17m).
What is False or Unverified?
There is no credible source testifying that Wesley Fofana ever said Chelsea sold Koulibaly “for just £17 million.” I could not find an interview, article, or quote to substantiate.
Also, the “strongest player he’s ever seen” line is not clearly quoted about Fofana in reliable sources.
Why the Error Most Probably Occurred?
Human beings become transfer fee confused when Chelsea bought Koulibaly (≈ £33.8m) with maybe some cash someone thought they paid or remembered incorrectly.
Transfer fees are occasionally reported in Euros, botched, or reported inaccurately.
Social media is prone to spread rumors with unverified sources.
What We Know about Fofana, Koulibaly & Chelsea?
Fofana joined Chelsea for approximately £70-75 million from Leicester City in 2022.
Koulibaly played about a single season at Chelsea prior to the transfer to Al-Hilal.
His price was more than £17 million. The reports quote 23 million Euros (≈ £20-22m depending on the exchange rate), so still well in excess of £17m.
Conclusion
Wesley Fofana’s quote that Chelsea let Kalidou Koulibaly cheaply go for £17m is not a fact. The actual fee of signing Koulibaly from Napoli was approximately £33.8 million. His subsequent sale to Al-Hilal reportedly was at around €23 million, again equivalent to more than £17 million.
Author’s Insight
Thus, while Fofana may have praised Koulibaly (he is widely admired), the “£17 million” point appears false or misquoted.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
