Napoli chief Cristiano Giuntoli admits they had to fight hard to land Timeoue Bakayoko.

The Chelsea midfielder is on a season-long loan with Napoli.

Giuntoli recalled, "Rino (Gattuso, coach) has a strong relationship with the team, very direct.

"For Bakayoko he said himself that he was a splendid guy and he proved himself to be so. We were careful, but for budgetary reasons we were waiting for an opportunity. He was dealing with a German team (Hertha Berlin), we entered with the right timing to take him home."