Chelsea 'very close' to completing Badiashile loan exit to Napoli, report says

Chelsea are reportedly close to finalising another summer exit, with Benoit Badiashile set to join Napoli on loan. L'Equipe report that the Serie A club are 'very close' to reaching an agreement for the centre-back, with an option to buy included. Badiashile has already held talks with Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri and is expected to complete the move. The 25-year-old was left out of Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia as the club made clear he was not part of their plans. He made only 16 appearances in all competitions last season and did not add to his Premier League minutes after being substituted at half-time against West Ham United on 31 January. He was also absent from Chelsea's matchday squad for their final eight league fixtures. Juventus have not given up hope of signing Badiashile, but Napoli are now in the strongest position. Chelsea initially wanted a permanent sale, yet they have relaxed that stance and are now willing to let him leave on loan for the 2026-27 season. More changes are expected at centre-back before the window closes on 1 September. Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah are both tipped to be sold, while Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino are set to go out on loan following the arrival of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. Dario Essugo has also been linked with a temporary departure after Valentin Barco joined, but he may stay because Enzo Fernández's future remains uncertain. Chelsea are also expected to sell two of Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Emmanuel Emegha after bringing in Danny Welbeck, and Marc Guiu and David Datro Fofana are likely to leave as well. Mykhailo Mudryk is due to go out on loan after serving a doping suspension, while questions over Malo Gusto's future are expected to resurface when he returns from the World Cup.