Chelsea Football Club has adjusted their asking price for defender Benoît Badiashile as negotiations with Napoli progress. Despite this increase, Napoli is optimistic about finalizing the deal for the player who has become a key target for their squad.
According to reports from ilnapolista, which cites La Gazzetta dello Sport, Badiashile is at the top of Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri's wishlist. The urgency for Napoli to secure a defender has intensified following the injury of Alessandro Buongiorno, who is expected to be sidelined for three to four months due to knee surgery.
The two clubs have tentatively agreed on a loan arrangement valued at €3 million. However, the primary point of contention lies in the buy option. Initially, Chelsea sought an obligation to purchase Badiashile for €15 million but later shifted to an option that now stands at €18-20 million. This increase in price has created a challenge for Napoli as they aim to negotiate a lower figure.
Despite the financial hurdles, Napoli's determination remains strong, as the gap between the two clubs is reportedly minimal. The club is actively working to keep the buy option as low as possible while maintaining dialogue with Chelsea.
Encouragingly for Napoli, Badiashile himself is keen on making the move. Reports indicate that he has turned down offers from other Premier League clubs in favor of joining Napoli. Allegri hopes to integrate the defender into the squad when they reconvene at their training facility in Castel Volturno after the Ferragosto holiday.
The need for reinforcements in Napoli's defense is pressing. In addition to Buongiorno's absence, the team is also dealing with injuries to Sam Beukema, who is recovering from an Achilles issue, and Luca Marianucci, who recently sustained a serious knee ligament injury. This situation has left Allegri with a depleted center-back roster as the season opener approaches.
With the player eager to join and only minor details left to finalize, Napoli remains hopeful of concluding this important transfer. Securing Badiashile would not only bolster their defensive line but also address the immediate concerns arising from their current injury crisis.
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