According to Le Buteur, Chelsea are readying a shock £24 million swoop in January for Napoli full-back Faouzi Ghoulam. Blues boss Antonio Conte has identified the 25-year-old Algerian as a possible alternative to Marcos Alonso and an assault in the new year looks possible.
 

The Italian tactician is looking for a versatile defender and in Ghoulam he would certainly have this as the player is adept at playing in either a back three or four. He is currently the top assist man for a defender in Serie A and since he moved to Napoli from St Etienne in 2014, he’s become one of the most reliable players in Italy.  

Napoli are naturally reluctant to move the player on and coach Maurizio Sarri will not want one of his top stars being distracted as they head into a vital week that could shape their season. On Friday they host Inter at the San Paolo, before next week’s crunch Champions League match in Lisbon against Benfica.


Steve Mitchell @barafundler