Jorginho ‘needs to cut pay by 50 PERCENT’ to orchestrate Napoli move

Chelsea’s Jorginho would reportedly be open to a Napoli return if his contract extension talks with the west London side collapse in the coming weeks.

The Italian’s current contract expires in the summer and – with the club planning a move for Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez – could likely leave Stamford Bridge next year.

His agent has already explored possible options for the midfielder and a return to Italy appears to be the preferred choice should Chelsea not extend his contract.

Jorginho is considering an extension at Chelsea or a potential return to Italy in the summer

Graham Potter’s side are ready to extend the midfielder’s contract, which expires in June

According to Sky Italy, Chelsea are ready to negotiate a contract extension with the midfielder and just a phone call from Napoli would make the player reconsider his options.

The Euro 2020 winner can leave London in June 2023 and wants to end his career at Napoli – the club the Blues signed him from back in 2018.

Should his Chelsea negotiations fall through, the player would officially ask his entourage to seek an agreement with the Italian side.

However, given Napoli’s current financial woes, any potential return is still complicated by the extortionate wages Jorginho has boasted in his Chelsea deal.

The midfielder played 90 minutes for the Blues in their 2-0 win over Bournemouth this week

Luciano Spalletti’s side would be open to Jorginho returning – but only on a reduced salary

According to Republica, Jorginho’s €6m (£5.3m) salary is too much for Aurelio De Laurentiis’ Napoli and – if he really wants to return to Italy – he will have to spread his salary over a long contract.

However, the veteran is unlikely to be offered a long-term deal and a return could only be planned if the Chelsea star takes a 50 per cent pay cut.

Napoli remain under strict financial constraints and the departures of Lorenzo Insigne, Kalidou Koulibaly and Dries Mertens show how their economic accounts take precedence over squad decisions.

Although a return to Napoli would be Jorginho’s first choice – in the event of a Chelsea departure – there are still a number of other routes left for the midfielder to return to Italy.

Maurizio Sarri (R) would try to reunite with Jorginho if the player decides to leave Chelsea

Maurizio Sarri, who joined Chelsea on the same day as the Italy midfielder, has been a longtime admirer and would welcome the 31-year-old to Lazio.

Newcastle and Barcelona have been pressuring the player’s agents for several months but negotiations with Napoli remain a priority.

As well as financial constraints, Jorginho’s return to Napoli could be hampered by the performances of Stanislav Lobotka in Italy’s midfield.

The midfielder has extended his contract until 2027 and has featured in almost every domestic game, helping them climb to the top of the Serie A table.

Stanislav Lobotka (L) has played heavily in the ingrained playmaker role for Napoli this year