Chelsea are reportedly interested in Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo, who dislocated his shoulder at the weekend.
According to 90min, the Blues have entered the race alongside Tottenham and Juventus in the race to sign the 23-year-old attacker.
It is understood Italian side side Roma could sell him if their €50million (£42million) valuation is met.
The report adds Chelsea, along with Spurs, believe the youngster has the qualities to be used as a wing-back.
Chelsea interested in Nicolo Zaniolo
Zaniolo was an important player last season for Jose Mourinho’s Roma, scoring eight goals and making nine assists in 42 games across all competitions.
He’s a left-footed attacker that usually plays at the top end of the pitch in creative number 10 positions or as a winger.
It’s interesting to hear teams believe he can be transformed into a wing-back, though.
The Italy international was forced off with a shoulder problem during Roma’s 1-0 win against Cremonese yesterday in Serie A, but that’s not putting off interested clubs.
Attackers as wing-backs
It’s a tactic that can work really effectively for some players, but signing attackers with the intention of moving them into a wing-back position is a little odd. For example, they reportedly plan to sign Everton winger Anthony Gordon and play him as a wing-back.
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea are well stacked in the left wing-back role with Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell. Meanwhile, both Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta are genuine options at right wing-back.
If Chelsea are serious about Zaniolo, they should be eyeing to see if he can improve their fairly toothless forward line.
He’s a skilful playmaker that left his mark in Mourinho’s line-up last year, but it would be an unknown seeing if he could step up to the Premier League.
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