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Chelsea have agreed a deal with Serie A giants Napoli for Benoit Badiashile to leave on loan with an option to buy, GIVEMESPORT understands.
The Blues have had a busy summer for new manager Xabi Alonso, with all of Marco Palestra, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Geovany Quenda, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria, Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson, and Emmanuel Emegha joining, while Alejandro Garnacho, Andrey Santos, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Tyrique George, and Filip Jorgensen have departed.
Alonso has admitted that he would like a 25-man squad for the upcoming season, with Chelsea having failed to qualify for Europe, and that means several more departures are expected, with another now agreed.
Badiashile joined Chelsea from Monaco back in January 2023 in a deal worth around £32.7m, but has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular at Stamford Bridge.
Since arriving, the two-time France international has made just 71 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons, including just 16 in all competitions in 2025/26, having initially found himself sidelined by former boss Enzo Maresca.
Now, GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Napoli have agreed to pay a loan fee of €3m (£2.5m) plus a further €1m (£855,000) in bonuses, to take the 25-year-old on loan for the season, and they will have an option to make the move permanent for €27m (£23m) next summer. Badiashile has a contract at Chelsea that runs until 2030.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
Chelsea have already added Lacroix to their centre-back options, and with Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Mamadou Sarr, Axel Disasi, Josh Acheampong, Aaron Anselmino, and Tosin Adarabioyo all still in the squad, Badiashile's chances of playing were very limited.
Napoli are looking to strengthen their squad after losing the Serie A title last season, with new manager Max Allegri identifying the centre of defence as an area to bolster.
Badiashile Chelsea Career in Numbers
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When Badiashile arrived at Chelsea he was widely considered to be one of the top young defenders in Europe, but his development has stalled at Stamford Bridge after struggling to play regularly.
In 71 appearances for the club since his joining, Badiashile has racked up just 5409 minutes of action, scoring twice and registering one assist. That includes just 13 appearances in the Premier League over the last two seasons.
Badiashile will now get the opportunity to resurrect his career in Italy, while Chelsea are able to trim to their squad and begin to work on other deals in the final weeks of the window.