Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has expressed concern about losing his coach Maurizio Sarri at the end of the season amid speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea.
Sarri still has over two years left to run on his current deal with the Partenopei, but within the deal he signed in 2016 is a clause which would allow him to leave for a predetermined sum, reported to be in the region of €8 million.
De Laurentiis has admitted that the presence of that clause means Sarri's future remains uncertain, although he has challenged the 59-year-old to share his ambition for Napoli.
"We need to work out how much he likes to risk and how much I like to risk," De Laurentiis told RAI television. "With Sarri we have a contract which ties him to us for a long time, then there is this clause and if somebody comes along and activates it, there is nothing we can do about it and we are legally obliged just to step aside."
"We are both on the same wavelength about everything, yet this does not always guarantee you find the right way."
"While he has been here, Napoli have in some way stimulated him even more and I hope that this can keep us together.
Sarri took charge of Napoli in 2015 and has led them to second and third-place finishes in his first two seasons in charge.
They are currently two points behind league leaders Juventus in their quest for a first Scudetto since 1990, while the style of football being played under Sarri is earning widespread acclaim and leading to him being linked with other top jobs from next season.
With Antonio Conte's future uncertain, Chelsea -- who already won trophies under the Italian coaches Roberto Di Matteo and Carlo Ancelotti -- are one club speculated to be considering Sarri.