Napoli are interested in former Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos to reinforce Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield as they prepare to take on Benoit Badiashile on loan from Chelsea.
Ceballos is an experienced playmaker who is also attracting interest from Juventus.
Sportal claimed that the Partenopei have already made an offer to Ceballos’ agents after he became a free agent from his long spell at Real Madrid.
As a free agent, he is also in contact with Real Betis, the club where he started before moving to Real Madrid in 2017. But the Perrotoni seem to be trying hard to convince the Spain international to continue his career in Serie A.
Having already played at the highest level, he is an attractive option for Allegri, especially given Napoli’s ambition to compete on multiple fronts this season.
Juventus could later step up their interest, as they are also keeping tabs on Ceballos, who is reportedly not a priority for the Bianconeri, despite also being monitored by Napoli.
Sportal states that their immediate focus is somewhere else, allowing Napoli to move ahead.
Being a free agent, Napoli’s interest could quickly become a reality if the player’s representatives are receptive to their proposal.
Therefore, this is an opportunity for the Partenopei to get another experienced player in Allegri’s squad.
Napoli may also welcome Badiashile soon, as the defender is set to undergo medical tests today.
He will join the Partenopei on loan once he has completed medicals at Villa Stuart in Rome before heading south to Naples, as is the case for all new Napoli signings.
Corriere dello Sport reported that Napoli will pay €3m and €1m in add-ons for the player’s loan, with an option to buy for €27m.
The Partenopei had to go shopping in the market for a new central defender after pre-season injuries to Alessandro Buongiorno, Sam Beukema and Luca Marianucci.
Badiashile left Monaco for Chelsea in a €38m move in 2023, making 71 appearances. He was removed from the first team and later reinstated, playing only 16 times across all competitions in 2025-26.
Oladipupo Mojeed
