Chelsea line up deals for two Serie A players as transfer deadline looms — reports

Antonio Conte has made defensive reinforcements his priority ahead of the transfer deadline on Wednesday. Andrew Couldridge / Reuters

Chelsea are expected to make late moves in the transfer market and are set to raid Italy for two signings before Wednesday’s deadline, according to reports.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has made clear his determination to add to his squad before the transfer window closes, with defensive reinforcements the Italian’s top priority.

The London club currently boast just four fit senior defenders, and Conte has said he is “a bit worried” by the lack of cover.

However, it seems Chelsea are attempting to address the issue. The Daily Mail have reported that a deal is in place for Fiorentina full-back Marcos Alonso after a fee of £23 million (Dh110m) was agreed between the two clubs.

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Alonso, 25, will be familiar to fans of English football having spent three years at Bolton Wanderers from 2010 before his move to Fiorentina. He spent the second half of the 2013/14 season on loan at Premier League club Sunderland before returning to Italy.

While Alonso’s expected arrival provides cover at full-back, Conte and Chelsea remain determined to sign another central defender. AC Milan’s 21-year-old centre-back Alessio Romagnoli is Conte’s top choice, but Milan’s reluctance to sell means other options are being considered.

Chelsea are also reportedly in line to seal a move for Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic with a fee of £25m quoted by the Mail.

Brozovic, 22, has only just signed a permanent deal at Inter after spending last season on loan at the Serie A club. However, the club record arrival of Joao Mario from Sporting Lisbon means Brozovic could be made available to interested clubs.

Chelsea’s reported interest in Brozovic comes just days after Cesc Fabregas denied speculation he was set to leave the club. The Spain international has found himself among the substitutes for Chelsea’s opening three Premier League games, and despite a match-turning cameo against Watford, his future at Stamford Bridge has been a topic of discussion.

However, Fabregas, 29, posted on his Instagram account that he will stay at Chelsea.

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