Chelsea have been encouraged in their pursuit of Napoli fullback Elseid Hysaj.

Albania's Telesport reports a move to Chelsea won't happen in January, but is growing more and more likely for June.

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis is ready to sell Hysaj and buy a replacement after becoming frustrated with his new contract demands.

Hysaj earns €1.8m-a-year and is seeking €3.2m-a-year to re-sign - demands deemed unacceptable by De Laurentiis.

So much so, that Napoli are now in talks with Red Bull Salzburg for Stefan Lainer, who would arrive as a direct replacement.

In Hysaj's case, waiting in the wings are Chelsea, where the Albania international would be reunited with his former Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri.