Chelsea have suffered quite a few setbacks in the transfer market this summer, with their latest being dealt by a familiar face.
While Chelsea have been able to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, they missed out on Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan in the last transfer window.
Chelsea could go back in for Maignan when the market reopens on Monday. He is not the only Serie A player who is on their radar, though.
The Blues are also reportedly interested in a defender who is currently at one of Milan’s league rivals.
Maurizio Sarri doesn’t want Mario Gila to leave Lazio amid Chelsea interest
Last month, it was claimed that Chelsea were readying an offer for Mario Gila, and it looks like that offer has since gone in.
According to Il Messaggero, Chelsea have made a €35m (£29.7m) bid for the Lazio defender as they look to strengthen their backline.
However, the Italian outlet states that the Blues’ offer was rejected, with Sarri telling his bosses not to sell Gila this summer.
Sarri was in charge of Chelsea for one season, winning the Europa League during his short time at Stamford Bridge. The 66-year-old will be doing no favours for his old club, however.
Chelsea do have other centre-half options on their list of transfer targets. For example, Chelsea are interested in signing Jorrel Hato from Ajax.
Enzo Maresca also has the likes of Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo already at the club, though the second of that trio keeps on getting injured.
Maurizio Sarri not Chelsea’s only issue in Mario Gila pursuit
Sarri’s desire to keep hold of Gila is not the only thing that could stop Chelsea from signing the Spaniard. Il Messaggero’s report says that Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in Gila, with a €50m (£42.5m) offer potentially being enough to convince Lazio to sell.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea are willing to return to the table and up their bid to that amount.
