Chelsea open to loan deal with option for troublesome defender with 42 appearances

Chelsea are inching close to selling Benoit Badiashile, with Napoli interested in loaning the central defender from the Blues.

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Chelsea are fully stocked in defence now. The arrival of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace added some prime age, Premier League starting caliber physicality to the group. Now they need to work on their sales.

With Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong likely to stay, there are a number of players who need to be shifted. Top of the list is Benoit Badiashile, who has never really managed to put together a consistent run of form of fitness since signing in January 2023.

Chelsea close to agreeing Badiashile loan deal to Napoli

The Blues are ready to give up on the former Monaco man, who has managed just 42 Premier League appearances in three and a half years with the Blues. Last summer there was little interest in him, but finally they have an interested party.

Transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio is going hard on the news that Badiashile is available for loan to Napoli, with a potential option to buy included. He says that today “could be a crucial day” in the negotiations.

Chelsea want a permanent sale, Napoli want a loan. The best solution is a loan with a clause to make the deal permanent. The debate will be over what the terms that trigger the clause are, and of course what the price is when triggered.

Di Marzio is “confident” Chelsea will agree a loan, if they are happy with the price and the terms. We should know within a day or two if common ground has been found.