Chelsea are closing on the £23million signing of Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina, according to Daily Mail.
The Italian side had demanded £25million for the former Bolton and Sunderland defender and Chelsea’s proposal includes add-ons.
Chelsea have been forced to offer more than their value of the 25-year-old with the window drawing to a close and the Italians well aware of their search for defenders becoming more desperate.
Antonio Conte still wants another centre-back and a midfielder but the purchase of Alonso will at least allow him to move Cesar Azpilicueta to right-back if required and have Branislav Ivanovic available as cover for centre-back.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are to rebuff Schalke’s request to sign Kurt Zouma on loan.
The Bundesliga side made enquiries over the weekend regarding the powerful French defender who has been recovering from knee ligament damage.
However, Chelsea want him to continue his rehabilitation here as he moves closer to match fitness in the hope he can make a contribution to Conte’s squad.
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