Napoli monitoring Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens ahead of January window

Napoli are monitoring Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens ahead of the January transfer window, according to Corriere dello Sport, as reported by Football Italia. The 22-year-old English winger could leave Stamford Bridge, and the report says he would suit Napoli's squad-list requirements because of the rules on young players. Roma came close to signing him in the summer, but Chelsea rejected their opening €43m bid.

Gittens is not the only name on Napoli's list. The report names Monza striker Gustavo Varela as a strong favourite: the 21-year-old leads Serie A with nine league goals and has just earned his first Portugal call-up, and Napoli have already spoken to his representatives. In midfield, Napoli like Sassuolo's Darryl Bakola, who turns 19 at the end of the month, but their top target is Monaco's Mamadou Coulibaly, valued at around €40m, which the report says could be beyond Napoli's budget.

The report says the club will have to work within financial limits and may turn to loan deals, with coach Max Allegri wanting players who can make an impact straight away. Noa Lang is expected to leave permanently in January, while Lorenzo Lucca is set to go out on loan.