Napoli agree deal to sign Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile on loan

Napoli have agreed to sign Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.

The agreement consists of a €4million (£3.4m; $4.6m) loan fee and an option to make the move permanent for a fixed fee of €27million (£23m; $31.1m). The Italian side are also covering Badiashile’s salary in full for the duration of the loan.

The 25-year-old centre-back was deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea after making just 16 appearances for the club across all competitions last season. He was omitted from new manager Xabi Alonso’s pre-season tour squad to allow him to focus on finding a move elsewhere.

Badiashile made a promising start to his Chelsea career after joining from Monaco for €38m (£32m; $43.8m) in January 2023, but form and fitness prevented the Frenchman from establishing himself as a regular starter at Stamford Bridge.

The defender has made 71 appearances for Chelsea, scoring two goals. He has also made two appearances for the France national team, but his last cap came in September 2022.

Chelsea are working hard on outgoings ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline, and Alonso’s squad is particularly bloated at centre-back, despite the sale of Trevoh Chalobah to Como in a deal worth up to €36m (£30m; $41.4m).

Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo has received interest from multiple clubs, while Mamadou Sarr also has loan interest from clubs in England and Europe. Axel Disasi is also expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. The French defender, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United, is valued at £25m ($33.7m).