Tiemoue Bakayoko has impressed Napoli so much that they are reportedly already in talks with Chelsea to buy him outright for €18m.

The midfielder had already worked with coach Gennaro Gattuso during another loan spell at Milan, and since Chelsea bought him from Monaco for €40m in 2017, has also been loaned to his old club.

The cost of the loan at the Stadio San Paolo is €2m and there is no option to buy, but La Gazzetta dello Sport and La Repubblica claim there is a gentleman’s agreement between the clubs for €18m.

Once the talks are, according to Football Italia, finalised for Gattuso to extend his contract to June 2023, which is expected later this month, then Napoli can turn their focus over to Bakayoko’s situation.

The 26-year-old has made six competitive appearances for the Partenopei, contributing one assist.

A total cost of €20m would be at least €10m less than Chelsea had been asking for over the summer.

Bakayoko’s contract at Stamford Bridge only runs to June 2022.