Chelsea 'lining up move for Lorenzo Insigne' as Italy forward nears end of contract with Napoli

Chelsea are eyeing up Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne.

Insigne, who starred in Italy's run to win the European Championship this summer,  has spent the majority of his career at boyhood club Napoli, only leaving for a few loan spells at the start of his football journey.

But the forward has run down his contract with the club and will be available for free from next June unless he thrashes out a new deal.

And Chelsea are looking to take advantage of the situation, according to Fichajes.com.

Coach Thomas Tuchel has worked miracles with the club since succeeding Frank Lampard last January but despite a busy summer which saw him land Romelu Lukaku, he is still not entirely happy with his squad.

Misfiring striker Timo Werner is set to leave while Hakim Ziyech has also struggled to settle since moving from Ajax and is poised to be moved on.

The twin departures would make room for Insigne, who has powered Napoli's explosive start to the Serie A season.

Insigne has scored twice and provided three assists as Napoli have won all six of their opening league games to go top of the Italian standings.

Tuchel is facing his most difficult spell since taking charge of Chelsea following successive 1-0 defeats to Manchester City and Juventus.

But his side have the chance to return to winning ways when they host winless Southampton on Saturday.