Napoli are reportedly considering a loan move for out-of-favour Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah in January.
Napoli are said to be determined to add a winger in the winter transfer window, and their search could lead them to Stamford Bridge.
According to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the Italian club’s number one target remains Sampdoria forward Manolo Gabbiadiani but, with negotiations expected to be tough, manager Rafa Benitez could instead raid former club Chelsea for the out-of-favour Mohamed Salah.
Salah, 22, was signed from Swiss champions FC Basel last winter for around £11 million, following two match-winning performances against the Blues in the Champions League, but has since made just 16 first-team appearances.
The Egyptian international earned a rare start in last month’s 2-1 Capital One Cup win at Shrewsbury Town, but his inconsistent showing prompted criticism from Jose Mourinho and raised further questions about his future in west London.
Behind Eden Hazard, Willian, Oscar and even Andre Schurrle in the pecking order, the club are understood to be willing to listen to loan offers once the market opens, with Serie A a popular destination in rumours.
Along with Napoli, Fiorentina and Inter Milan have also been named as possible suitors, while Turkish giants Besiktas, who set up a strategic partnership with Chelsea last month, are another contender.
Still possessing a great deal of potential, Salah’s progress has been hampered over the past 11 months due to a lack of first-team football, but a loan switch might be just what’s needed to get his promising career back on track, and to prove to Mourinho that he is worth keeping hold of.
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