Newly-crowned Serie A Champions, Napoli, have shown an interest in Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah following uncertainty around his role in the club next season.
New reports have stated that Chelsea are unable to guarantee their academy graduate first-team football next season.
The Blues have been consistently linked to other defenders ahead of next season. If they succeed in bolstering their backline, Chalobah may fall down the pecking order.
Chalobah, who spent the first half of the season as a Crystal Palace player, is not being forced out of the club, as it is reported that Chelsea are not actively looking to sell him.
Napoli may look to capitalise on this situation as they look to strengthen their own squad ahead of their title defence.
In recent seasons, Napoli have made some significant moves for players in the Premier League that have turned out to be extremely successful.
The most notable of these would be the acquisition of Scott McTominay from Manchester United ahead of the 24/25 season.
McTominay has scored 13 goals and assisted another four in his 36 appearances in all competitions for Napoli this season.
Billy Gilmour signed from Brighton as the Scottish midfielder has become a regular for the Italian Champions this season.
Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa also signed permanently from Fulham in the Premier League and has become a key player over the four seasons that he has spent at the club.
Signings from England have not always gone Napoli's way in the past, with players such as Tanguy Ndombele and Tiémoué Bakayoko enduring tough tenures at the club.
However, Trevoh Chalobah would certainly improve Napoli's squad if they were to sign the Englishman.
"Whatever happens happens"
With uncertainty still circulating around Chalobah's future as a Chelsea player, the latest player to be called up to the England squad was asked about his future.
"I have still got three years left [on my contract], so I am just focused on Chelsea at the moment and whatever happens happens. I just focus on the now and leave all the noise surrounding me or my future. I'm looking forward to the Club World Cup."
Chelsea need to offload players
One of the crucial tasks for Chelsea in the summer transfer window is to cut down the size of their squad whilst simultaneously improving it.
Centre-back is one of the positions that needs to be trimmed by the Blues, especially if they are to sign a new one as rumoured.
It has already been reported that the Blues would listen to offers for Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana in the summer. Chalobah could soon be added to this list if Napoli come in with an offer seen as sufficient by the board.
This would still leave Chelsea with Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo as senior centre-backs for the club.
It is a situation that some fans of Chelsea may not like, but it would be a deal that makes sense for both sides if it were to happen.
However, Chelsea's stance is clear: they will not look to actively sell, unless the player is interested in the move themselves.