Napoli left back Fauozi Ghoulam could still be a target for Chelsea despite the Algerian international suffering a serious knee injury earlier this month, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
The full back sustained cruciate ligament damage in the Champions League tie against Manchester City, and had an operation last Friday. The 26 year old is likely to be out for months with the injury.
Ghoulam’s contract is however expiring at the end of the season, and Tuttomercatoweb reports that the player’s injury has come at an inopportune time during talks with Napoli over a new deal.
The defender was said to be have agreed on personal terms, with the only stumbling block being the €40m release clause that Napoli wanted to be included as part of the contract. The deal is now very much up in the air leaving room for another club to sign the player on a pre-contract agreement.
Along with Chelsea, it is reported that there is “concrete” interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, and any of the five may seek to offer terms to Ghoulam.
