Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has identified Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij as an alternative to Kalidou Koulibaly, recent reports from Italy have claimed.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted that the Senegalese defender will not leave the club this summer.
The Blues are still chasing a central defender and are expected to make an offer in the region of £15million to secure the services of the Dutchman.
The 24-year-old spent most of last season on the sidelines because of a knee injury but he says he is recovering well.
"I think [Simone] Inzaghi is a good coach, he's doing a good job," he told reporters.
"I loved the first week, I want to thank all the players who have said nice things to me. I always want to help my teammates, we have to be a squad.
"When I came back to the pitch I was smiling all day, I couldn't wait to wear this shirt again but I still have work to do because I'm not yet 100 per cent.
"I want to play in every match, I've missed the pitch a lot. I always want to help everyone, if there's a new lad I'll help him integrate."
