Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri wants to pip Manchester United to a star Serie A defender, according to the latest reports.
ESPN suggested earlier in the month that United boss Jose Mourinho wants the club to back him publicly and he has asked for the cash to sign Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar and Alessio Romagnoli of AC Milan.
Mourinho was looking for a centre-back in the summer, but moves for Toby Alderweireld, 29, Jerome Boateng, 30, and Diogo Godin, 32, were not agreed by the board and Leicester’s Harry Maguire proved out of reach.
However, according to The Sun, Chelsea boss Sarri is ready to try and gazump United to Milan captain Romagnoli.
The former Roma man is one of the first names on the team sheet under Gennaro Gattuso, with the club currently on a nine-game unbeaten run.
La Gazzetta dello Sport stated in the summer that the Red Devils made an approach for Romagnoli, presenting a package worth a total of €50m – but Milan rejected and could hold out for as much as €65m.