Chelsea have agreed a deal for Benoit Badiashile to join Napoli on loan, with the Italian club securing an option to make the transfer permanent for €27million.
The France international has been expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after falling down the defensive pecking order under Xabi Alonso.
Negotiations with Napoli have been ongoing for several weeks, but the two clubs have now reached a verbal agreement.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Napoli will pay Chelsea a €3m loan fee, with another €1m available in add-ons and a €27m option to buy. Napoli will also cover Badiashile’s salary during the loan.
Chelsea agree Benoit Badiashile Napoli deal
The agreement represents a significant progression from earlier negotiations between the two clubs.
ReadChelsea reported last week that Badiashile had given the green light to join Napoli while talks centred on a loan containing an option to buy worth around €20m to €23m.
Chelsea had subsequently been pushing for a higher figure, with reports on Thursday suggesting a compromise could eventually be found at around €25m to €27m.
The final agreement has now landed at the top end of that range.
If Napoli ultimately activate the €27m option, the total package could reach €31m when the initial loan fee and add-ons are included.
Badiashile joined Chelsea from Monaco in January 2023 but has struggled to establish himself consistently at Stamford Bridge, with injuries repeatedly disrupting his progress.
His departure also continues Alonso’s efforts to reduce the number of centre-backs in his squad.
Napoli, meanwhile, have been searching for another central defender for Massimiliano Allegri and can now move forward with Badiashile after reaching an agreement with Chelsea.
