AC MILAN are reportedly close to securing captain Alessio Romagnoli to a new contract – in a blow to Chelsea.
The Premier League club are preparing a considerable raid on the transfer market once it opens and the centre-back has long been rumoured to be a target.
Interest in Romagnoli is thought to be high with Barcelona, Lazio and Atletico Madrid also monitoring his situation.
But he is now thought to be ready to commit to a new deal with the Rossoneri, extending his current contract expiry date past 2022.
Last month, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported how he was ready and waiting for an offer to take the next step in deciding his future.
And Milan are said, by CalcioMercato, to be responding to the prospective bidders by advancing negotiations over a new contract.
Recent days have seen Milan hold talks with Romagnoli’s agent Mino Raiola.
Romagnoli, 25, has played every minute of Milan’s 29 games this season having been made captain in 2018.
A decent run of form since the turn of the year has Stefano Pioli’s side in seventh place and knocking on the door of a return to European football after a season away.
And the 25-year-old Italian international, who signed from Roma in 2015, is a fan favourite even turning his hand to representing them virtually as the Azzurri’s player in the eNations StayAndPlay Cup.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are still formulating their plans for next season amid a transfer market being shaken up by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Blues are linked to Lille centre-back Gabriel and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana as Frank Lampard seeks an improved defence.
How much cash they have to splash may be slashed by football’s shutdown however and players are currently discussing a £10million pay cut over the coming four months.
In addition, Lampard and other senior staff could be accepting deductions.
