Chelsea flop Benoit Badiashile lined up for Napoli transfer as Blues close in on Lacroix signing

NAPOLI are interested in signing Chelsea defender Benoît Badiashile following an injury to Alessandro Buongiorno. Massimiliano Allegri‘s side are closely monitoring the French centre-back as they look to bolster their backline ahead of the new season, with the Italian club planning to offer him a three-year contract. Badiashile has been deemed surplus to requirements by Xabi Alonso, so will look to move on Credit: Rex One of the highlights of Badiashile’s Chelsea career was winning the Club World Cup last summer Credit: Getty Badiashile is keen on continuing his career in Serie A, though he is also attracting interest from unnamed Premier League clubs. Chelsea are open to selling Badiashile as part of a major defensive overhaul under Xabi Alonso. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The Blues had initially explored using the 25-year-old in a potential swap deal with Crystal Palace for Maxence Lacroix. However, Palace have now made it clear that Axel Disasi is their primary preference to be included in any agreement for Lacroix. Talks are ongoing between Palace and Disasi’s representatives, and the move is expected to become official once personal terms are finalised. Should any unexpected complications arise with Disasi, Palace could re-open discussions for Badiashile, but the French defender remains strongly drawn to the option of moving to Italy with Napoli. Allegri, who replaced former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte in Naples this summer, is eager to strengthen his defence before the start of the 2026/27 campaign as he looks to return the club to the top of Italian football. Chelsea signed Badiashile from Monaco in a £35million deal in 2023, handing the defender a seven-and-a-half-year contract after identifying him as one of Europe’s brightest young centre-backs. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Allegri has managed some world-class defenders in the past and is known for improving them Credit: Getty Images The move came after Badiashile broke into the France senior side while still at Monaco, earning two international caps in 2022 before the Blues swooped for his signature. Since arriving at Stamford Bridge, the Frenchman has made 71 appearances in all competitions but has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular. Napoli know exactly how important a solid defence can be as they won the Serie A title in the 2024/25 season with the league’s best defensive record – conceding just 27 goals. Last season, however, they finished runners-up to Inter Milan after shipping 36 goals across the campaign, meaning it is now an area Allegri is determined to tighten up. With Chelsea closing in on the signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, Badiashile appears increasingly likely to move on in search of regular football, with Napoli emerging as one of the strongest contenders for his signature. Comment now