Chelsea defender targeted by Seria A side

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has emerged as a transfer target for Napoli, according to reports in Italy.

Blues boss Antonio Conte has been chasing a deal for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and Zouma could act as a direct replacement should a transfer be negotiated during the January window.

Zouma suffered an horrific knee injury at the start of 2016 that has seen him sidelined for almost a year.

During his lay-off, much has happened at Stamford Bridge and despite the Frenchman going on the club's pre-season tour, his chances of breaking back into Conte's starting XI remain unlikely.

The west Londoners rejected the advances of Schalke to take him on a loan deal at the start of the current campaign.

However, despite remaining with the Blues, the timing could be right for Zouma to make the switch to Napoli during the January window.