Chelsea transfer news: Kurt Zouma wanted by Napoli as they seek cover for Kalidou Koulibaly
Defender closing in on first-team return after injury nightmare and could head abroad to get regular games
NAPOLI are hoping to land Kurt Zouma in an audacious loan move from Chelsea this winter.
The popular young defender is closing in on a return to action after recovering from a horrific knee injury earlier this year.
But Zouma knows playing time could be hard to come by following the success of David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill in Antonio Conte’s three-man defence.
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And claims Napoli will offer to bring Zouma to Italy for six months as they seek cover for Kalidou Koulibaly.
The centre-back – ironically the subject of a big-money bid from Chelsea last summer – will miss the start of 2017 when he heads to the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.
And Napoli reckon Zouma would be perfect to fill in and potentially partner Koulibaly once he returns to the San Paolo.
Whether Conte lets Zouma leave remains to be seen, although he does have John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic in reserve.
Nathaniel Chalobah is also capable of playing at the back, and a move to Naples would also provide Zouma with regular action which he isn’t guaranteed at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are also reportedly ready to sign a new defender in January, with Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and Burnley ace Michael Keane on the radar.
Any new arrivals would further limit Zouma’s chances, but with Terry and Ivanovic set to leave in the summer, the Frenchman is sure to get more opportunities to establish himself in west London next season.