Benoît Badiashile undergoes Napoli medical after Chelsea loan agreement

Benoît Badiashile has arrived in Rome to undergo medical tests ahead of a proposed move from Chelsea to Napoli, with the Serie A champions closing in on the French defender.

The two clubs have reached an agreement over an initial loan deal worth €3 million, with Napoli holding an option to make the transfer permanent for a further €27 million. The buy clause is an option rather than an obligation, meaning the Italian club will retain control over whether to complete a permanent deal next summer.

Badiashile travelled to Villa Stuart in Rome for his medical examinations before the remaining formalities of the move are completed. Napoli have yet to announce the transfer officially, so the deal remains subject to the medical process and final documentation.

The 25-year-old would reinforce a Napoli defence that has been affected by injuries during pre-season. Alessandro Buongiorno, Sam Beukema and Luca Marianucci have all encountered fitness problems, increasing the need for another established centre-back before the start of the Serie A campaign.

Badiashile joined Chelsea from Monaco in January 2023 but has struggled to establish himself as a consistent first-choice starter during a period of considerable change at Stamford Bridge. A move to Naples would offer him the opportunity for more regular football while giving Napoli a defender with experience in both the Premier League and Ligue 1.

At 1.94 metres tall, the France international offers a strong physical presence in central defence and is comfortable operating on the left side of a centre-back pairing, characteristics that should provide Napoli with additional tactical flexibility.

The structure of the agreement also limits Napoli’s immediate financial commitment while giving the club the opportunity to assess Badiashile over a full season before deciding whether to invest permanently.

With the club-to-club agreement in place and the medical process under way, the transfer is now approaching its final stages. An official announcement is expected once Badiashile completes the required examinations and contractual formalities.