Benoit Badiashile will undergo a Napoli medical this week as Chelsea move closer to another significant defensive departure.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed the latest step on Monday, reporting that both Badiashile and Costantino Favasuli are due to complete their medical examinations with Napoli this week.
The development moves the 25-year-old closer to Serie A and gives Xabi Alonso another opportunity to trim a Chelsea centre-back department that has become heavily overcrowded.
🚨🔵⚪️ Napoli agree deal to sign Benoit Badiashile from Chelsea, here we go! 🇫🇷
Club to club verbal agreement done: €3m loan fee, €1m add-ons and €27m buy option clause, salary also covered.
New centre back is coming for Massimiliano Allegri. pic.twitter.com/R397afFr74
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 13, 2026
Benoit Badiashile Napoli medical moves deal closer
Chelsea and Napoli have already reached an agreement for Badiashile to spend the season in Italy.
The reported deal includes a €3million loan fee, another €1m in potential add-ons and a €27m option to buy, with Napoli also covering Badiashile’s salary during the loan.
Romano’s medical confirmation means the focus can now move beyond whether Badiashile will leave.
The more interesting Chelsea question is what his departure tells us about Alonso’s defensive hierarchy.
Chelsea added Maxence Lacroix for around £52m this summer, increasing competition in a position where the Blues were already carrying several senior options. ReadChelsea previously explained how Lacroix’s arrival was always likely to trigger major defensive decisions.
Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea defensive cull gathers pace
Badiashile is unlikely to be the final defender heading towards the exit.
Alonso has been trying to dramatically reduce his centre-back numbers, with reports claiming Chelsea were prepared to move on as many as five players from that department this summer. Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo have also faced uncertain futures.
That could leave a much clearer group built around Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato, although further movement remains possible before the window closes.
Badiashile’s situation therefore matters beyond the loan itself.
Chelsea are moving from simply collecting centre-back options towards giving Alonso a smaller group with clearer roles.
Chelsea squad beginning to take shape before Fulham
Timing also matters.
Chelsea have now completed their pre-season schedule, ending it with a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge. Supporters can watch the Chelsea vs Real Sociedad highlights here.
Attention now turns towards Fulham and Alonso’s first competitive selection of the campaign.
By the time Chelsea arrive at Craven Cottage, Badiashile could be a Napoli player and the defensive group could look considerably closer to the streamlined unit Alonso has been trying to create.
The medical is another transfer step.
For Chelsea, it could also be another piece of evidence that Alonso’s preferred defence is finally taking shape.
£170m Chelsea transfer fire sale could expose Xabi Alonso’s ruthless plan
£170m Chelsea transfer fire sale could expose Xabi Alonso’s ruthless plan
Watch Chelsea vs Real Sociedad highlights
Watch Chelsea vs Real Sociedad highlights