Chelsea were interested in a move for Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne this summer and even offered two players to make the deal happen.
That’s according to journalist Francesco Modugno, who says the Blues were willing to negotiate to bring the Italian to Stamford Bridge.
Insigne is in the final year of his contract with Napoli and, with no sign of a new deal being signed, has been heavily linked with a move away as a result.
Chelsea had not, surprisingly, been linked with a move despite them spending most of the summer on the hunt for a striker before signing Romelu Lukaku.
Their lack of interest was also surprising given Napoli’s regular interest in their fringe players, such as Emerson Palmieri and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
It seems, though, the story behind the scenes was very different, and Chelsea were willing to offer both of those players to bring Insigne to London this summer.
“Zenit were ready to pay 30 million for Insigne and double his salary, but they were not interested in the prospect,” Area Napoli report Modugno saying.
“I’m also aware of discussions with Chelsea to include Bakayolo and Emerson Palmieri in the deal, with financial compensation, but the accounts and the will didn’t fit.
“Then, of course, there is Inter: there too, perhaps a financial compensation with the possibility of inserting a player. At the moment, Napoli can’t reach those figures. Who knows if the chat with De Laurentiis will ever take place, probably Insigne would hope.”
