Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has revealed that the club plan to keep Nathaniel Chalobah on a permanent basis should he impress this season.

Chalobah signed for the Serie A club on loan from Chelsea on the final day of the summer transfer window, and De Laurentiis is already eyeing a long-term future at the club for the 20-year-old.

"I hope he does well," he told reporters. "Chelsea didn't give us the option to buy him, but should he prove to be an important player during the season we will go on the offensive to keep him."

England Under-21 international Chalobah played for Championship sides Reading and Burnley on loan last season, and has previously had spells with Watford, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough.