Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is determined to add Milan central defender Alessio Romagnoli to his squad before the end of the summer transfer window according to Sky Sport Italy.
The 21-year-old is Conte's new defensive target after the Italian understood that Napoli will not sell Kalidou Koulibaly.
At the start of the week, the Blues made an official £21million for the youngster but it was rejected by the Rossoneri.
A second offer of £30million was also rejected but a final bid of more than £35million is expected to be made on Thursday.
Conte made it clear last week that he is desperate to sign a new defender before deadline day.
"If you look now at our squad, we have only five defenders - four that started today and an academy player Ola Aina," he said.
"Ola is very good - he has great potential - but with any young player you must work to put them in the first team. Sure, he has a good future.
"If one defender is injured or banned, then we are in trouble, but the club and me we know this and we are talking every day to improve the squad.
"We know that this market is very difficult. It's crazy. I don't want to buy only to buy. I want to buy the right profile for Chelsea, the right investment for the solution and for the future."
