# Napoli manages defensive crisis and squad restructuring > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/napoli-pursuit-of-chelsea-defender-badiashile > Updated: 2026-09-12T08:43:04.000Z. Sources: 81. Developments: 17. Napoli’s defensive rebuild has intensified as the club manages a significant injury crisis ahead of the new Serie A season. The squad is facing shortages due to a high-grade medial collateral ligament injury to Luca Marianucci, which is expected to sideline him for two to three months, as well as Alessandro Buongiorno’s recovery from knee surgery and Sam Beukema’s chronic Achilles tendon issues. To address these shortages, Napoli officially completed the signing of French defender Benoît Badiashile from Chelsea on a season-long loan. The deal involves a loan fee of three million euros plus bonuses, with an option to purchase the 25-year-old permanently in June 2027 for approximately €27 million. Badiashile, who has previously struggled for consistent playing time in London due to physical issues, has joined Massimiliano Allegri’s first-team squad. Following failed negotiations for defender Mario Gila, Badiashile made his Serie A debut, entering the pitch in the 79th minute during a 3-2 loss to Inter Milan. Despite his arrival, Badiashile is expected to start on the bench for the upcoming match against Bologna. Due to his late arrival, he missed the complete summer preseason training, resulting in a lack of match fitness. The technical staff is taking a cautious approach to integrate him gradually, as he has not yet reached the physical condition required to play a full ninety-minute match. ## Claims - Benoît Badiashile is a centre‑back of Chelsea. (corroborated by 16 sources) - Napoli is in contact with Chelsea about acquiring defender Benoît Badiashile. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Chelsea’s asking price for a permanent transfer is around €30 million. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Alessandro Buongiorno is out with a knee injury, leaving Napoli short‑handed in defence. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Napoli is aiming to reduce its squad size and wage bill before making new signings. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Giovanni Manna is seeking a central defender for Napoli after injuries to other players. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Benoît Badiashile played only 16 matches for Chelsea last season. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Benoît Badiashile has expressed openness to a transfer to Napoli. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s sporting director, has listed Benoît Badiashile as the club’s top defensive target. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Injuries to Alessandro Buongiorno and Sam Beukema have left Napoli’s defence thin, prompting the Badiashile pursuit. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The proposed loan fee for Badiashile is about €3 million, with an option to buy for roughly €20‑30 million. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-12: Benoit Badiashile to start on bench for Napoli against Bologna Napoli defender Benoit Badiashile will start on the bench against Bologna as he continues to work toward full match fitness following his late summer arrival at the club. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benoit-badiashile-to-start-on-bench-for-napoli-against-bologna ### 2026-09-05: Benoit Badiashile makes Napoli debut in 3-2 loss to Inter Benoit Badiashile made his Serie A debut for Napoli in a 3-2 loss to Inter Milan, following his loan move from Chelsea. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benoit-badiashile-makes-napoli-debut-in-3-2-loss-to-inter ### 2026-08-23: Italian football: Badiashile joins Napoli and Torino-Milan lineups announced Napoli has signed defender Benoit Badiashile from Chelsea on loan, while official lineups are set for the Torino vs. Milan match. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-football-badiashile-joins-napoli-and-torino-milan-lineups-announced ### 2026-08-21: Napoli signs Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile on loan Napoli has officially signed French defender Benoit Badiashile from Chelsea on a season-long loan with an option to buy for approximately €27 million. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benoit-badiashile-nears-napoli-move-from-chelsea-after-medical ### 2026-08-19: Napoli secures defensive signings Favasuli and Badiashile Napoli has strengthened its defense by signing Costantino Favasuli from Catanzaro and securing Benoit Badiashile on loan from Chelsea. The club also continues to pursue attacking reinforcements. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/napoli-signs-benoit-badiashile-from-chelsea-on-loan ### 2026-08-17: Napoli secures Badiashile loan and Favasuli signing Napoli has strengthened its defense by signing Benoit Badiashile on loan from Chelsea and securing Costantino Favasuli from Catanzaro on an obligation-to-buy deal. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benoit-badiashile-joins-napoli-from-chelsea-on-loan ### 2026-08-14: Chelsea FC completes loan deals for Satpayev and Badiashile Chelsea FC has secured loan moves for forward Dastan Satpayev to Burnley and defender Benoit Badiashile to Napoli, the latter including a potential 27 million euro permanent option. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chelsea-fc-completes-loan-deals-for-satpayev-and-badiashile ### 2026-08-13: Italian football clubs pursue defensive transfers as Juventus and Napoli seek reinforcements Juventus faces setbacks in goalkeeper Zion Suzuki negotiations, while Napoli nears a deal with Chelsea for defender Benoit Badiashile to address defensive injury concerns. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-football-clubs-pursue-defensive-transfers-as-juventus-and-napoli-seek-reinforcements ### 2026-08-13: Napoli agrees loan deal for Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile Napoli has agreed to sign Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile on loan, featuring a €3m fee and a €27m option to buy to address the club's defensive injury crisis. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/napoli-agrees-loan-deal-for-chelsea-defender-benoit-badiashile ### 2026-08-11: Italian football clubs advance major transfer negotiations Italian football clubs are making major moves in the transfer market, with Atalanta nearing a deal for Thomas Kristensen and Napoli negotiating for Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/atalanta-targets-udinese-defender-thomas-kristensen-in-22m-euro-bid ### 2026-08-09: SSC Napoli faces defensive crisis and transfer activity SSC Napoli faces a defensive emergency following injuries to Marianucci, Buongiorno, and Beukema, prompting urgent transfer moves for Badiashile and Favasuli, alongside the potential sale of Romelu Lukaku. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/napoli-struggles-with-striker-efficiency-in-preseason ### 2026-08-07: Napoli targets Benoit Badiashile and Federico Gatti for defense Napoli is negotiating a potential loan for Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile, while also considering Federico Gatti and Nayef Aguerd to strengthen their defense. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/napoli-near-deal-for-chelsea-defender-benoit-badiashile-1 ### 2026-08-05: Napoli pursue defender Badiashile while Lukaku's exit gains momentum Napoli near a loan for Benoît Badiashile, eye Nayef Aguerd as alternatives, plan to sell Rafa Marín, and prepare for Romelu Lukaku’s departure with clubs like Monaco interested. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/napoli-close-to-signing-defender-benot-badiashile-from-chelsea ### 2026-08-04: Napoli targets Badiashile signing, Lucca scores in friendly Napoli considers signing defender Victor Badiashile while forward Lorenzo Lucca scores in a pre‑season friendly, boosting confidence under president De Laurentis and coach Allegri. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/napoli-targets-badiashile-signing-lucca-scores-in-friendly ### 2026-08-02: Juventus and Napoli negotiate defender deals for Badiashile and Gatti Juventus and Napoli are negotiating for centre‑backs Benoît Badiashile and Federico Gatti as Napoli cover for injured Alessandro Buongiorno, with possible loan‑buy deals and swap ideas. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juventus-and-napoli-negotiate-defender-deals-for-badiashile-and-gatti ### 2026-07-28: Napoli pushes for Chelsea defender Benoît Badiashile on loan Napoli aims to sign Chelsea defender Benoît Badiashile on loan, offering €17.5 m, with a €3 m loan fee and a €20‑30 m purchase option amid defensive injuries. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/napoli-targets-chelsea-defender-benoit-badiashile-with-30m-offer ### 2026-07-26: Napoli push for Chelsea defender Benoît Badiashile to shore up injured defence Napoli, facing defensive injuries, are courting Chelsea’s Benoît Badiashile, offering €15‑18 million and eyeing a loan‑with‑option deal, while also considering Tiago Gabriel as a backup. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/napoli-offers-18-million-for-chelsea-defender-benoit-badiashile --- Cite as: Napoli manages defensive crisis and squad restructuring. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/napoli-pursuit-of-chelsea-defender-badiashile