Tiemoue Bakayoko has impressed Napoli so much that they are reportedly already in talks with Chelsea to buy him outright for €18m.
The midfielder had already worked with coach Gennaro Gattuso during another loan spell at Milan, and since Chelsea bought him from Monaco for €40m in 2017, has also been loaned to his old club.
The cost of the loan at the Stadio San Paolo is €2m and there is no option to buy, but La Gazzetta dello Sport and La Repubblica claim there is a gentleman’s agreement between the clubs for €18m.
Once the talks are finalised for Gattuso to extend his contract to June 2023, which is expected later this month, then Napoli can turn their focus over to Bakayoko’s situation.
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The 26-year-old has made six competitive appearances for the Partenopei, contributing one assist.
A total cost of €20m would be at least €10m less than Chelsea had been asking for over the summer.
Bakayoko’s contract at Stamford Bridge only runs to June 2022.