However, the Blues are also firmly in the race to land Roma defender Mehdi Benatia and were given a huge boost in their pursuit after Roma president James Pallotta has indicated that the club could sell Mehdi Benatia if the price is right.
Chelsea, along with the likes of Manchester United, City and Tottenham, have all been making advances for the Moroccan international, and Pallotta has now admitted that the club may cash in on the player.
“Benatia? He’s never been on the market. He’s our player and is important for the team and this season,” he said.
“You never say never in football. That said, it’s not our intention to lose our best players.”
The 27-year-old has been in impressive form for the side from the Italian capital, and any interested parties would have to cough up somewhere in the region of £30m in order to prize him away.
However, coach Rudi Garcia has also warned that he will not be letting him go without a fight.
“For me, it’s clear. He’s under contract and he will be a Roma player this season,” Garcia said.
Should a deal go through, though, his sale would represent a huge profit for Roma, who paid Udinese just £8m for his services last summer.
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