Napoli have reached an agreement to sign defender Costantino Favasuli from Serie B side Catanzaro while continuing negotiations to secure Benoît Badiashile on loan from Chelsea. The Italian club acted swiftly to address a deepening defensive crisis that has left manager Antonio Conte with limited options at the back.
The club will pay approximately €7.5 million for Favasuli, a 22-year-old Italy international capable of operating at both right-back and left-back. The versatile defender came through the Fiorentina youth academy before joining Catanzaro on a free transfer last summer, a move that allowed the Viola to retain a significant percentage of any future sale fee. Despite interest from Juventus, Atalanta and Sporting CP, the player has opted for a move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, securing a substantial profit for his former club after just one season.
Injury crisis forces rapid recruitment
Napoli’s urgent need for reinforcements stems from a crippling injury list that has decimated the defensive unit. Luca Marianucci recently suffered a medial collateral ligament tear in his left knee, adding his name to a casualty list that already includes Alessandro Buongiorno and Sam Beukema. The situation worsened earlier when veteran Juan Jesus departed as a free agent, leaving Conte’s squad severely depleted and forcing the club to accelerate their recruitment strategy.
Chelsea loan remains pending
According to Sportitalia and Sky Sport Italia, Napoli have asked Chelsea for permission to take Badiashile on loan for €3 million with an option to buy at the season’s end. The Premier League club purchased the 25-year-old centre-back for €38 million from AS Monaco in January 2023, but his playing time has diminished significantly. He managed just 16 appearances last season despite making 71 competitive outings overall for the London side.
The proposed structure reflects concerns over Badiashile’s fitness record, with the Partenopei reluctant to commit to a permanent transfer immediately. Chelsea are expected to deliver their response within the next 24 hours, potentially adding much-needed depth to Napoli’s back line should the deal proceed.
The Favasuli transfer carries additional significance due to the De Laurentiis family’s ownership of both Napoli and Bari. The deal enables Catanzaro to secure Dorval from Bari, creating a domino effect across the Italian football pyramid as the clubs navigate the final stages of the transfer window.