Chelsea in bid for Serie A defender as Conte looks to bolster ranks

Chelsea have submitted a €35m bid for AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli, according to Sky Italia, as Antonio Conte looks to bolster his defensive ranks before the summer window closes on August 31st.

Milan are reportedly reluctant to sell the 21-year-old who has made 40 appearances for the 18-time Italian champions, after joining from Roma for £19.8m last summer.

The Blues have been in the market for a defender this summer, with Kurt Zouma still sidelined, and have been strongly linked with a move for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, however that is reportedly close to collapse.

Romagnoli is an Italian U21 international, having made 13 appearances at that level, scoring one goal in a European qualifier against the Ireland U21 side.

The former Roma man can be deployed either as a centre-half or left-back and is good with the ball at his feet, a trait which suits Conte’s style of play.

The former Juventus manager’s side face Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup tomorrow before hosting recently promoted Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.