Chelsea have switched their attention to negotiating the landing of AC Milan sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma amid difficulties in prising the Senegalese star Edouard Mendy from Rennes, Football Insider understands.
The Premier League giants have made it a priority to recruit a new number one this transfer window and are exploring various options across Europe.
A Chelsea source has told Football Insider the club are now in negotiations over a possible deal for Italy first choice Donnarumma.
The west Londoners are speaking to the seven-times UCL winners about structuring a deal for the 21-year-old ace in various ways.
The source explained that the Blues recognise it is a long shot to sign Donnarumma, who is rated at nearly £50m by Milan.
However, the stopper has entered the final year of his deal at San Siro and his club are vulnerable to losing him.