Contacts between Napoli and Chelsea over the France centre-back have continued, but the two clubs have yet to find common ground on the format of a deal, according to Sky Sport, with the player's representatives also involved in discussions that once again failed to produce a definitive agreement.
Napoli are pushing for a loan with an option to buy, while Chelsea are said to want a permanent sale or, at best, an obligation to buy attached to certain conditions; the Azzurri are not walking away from the pursuit and will keep working to close the gap with the Blues' demands.
Nayef Aguerd of Marseille remains in the background as the leading alternative, with the Morocco international, also tracked by Real Sociedad, having long been in talks over a possible move.
Away from the market, Napoli received a visit from a familiar face at their Castel di Sangro training camp on Monday, with Massimiliano Allegri's agent, Giovanni Branchini, dropping by to check in on his client's start to life in Naples.
Speaking briefly to Videoinformazioni.com on the sidelines of training, Branchini gave an upbeat assessment of how the new head coach has settled in.
"Allegri and I have been in touch, and I came today to see him. He's working well and is happy with everything. He's always had a good opinion of the squad and is satisfied with the work being done," the agent said.