Chelsea have reportedly earmarked Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini and Villarreal midfielder Yeremy Pino as potential transfer targets.
The Blues are understood to be keeping their eye out for midfield reinforcements over the next two transfer windows due to uncertain futures surrounding some of their incumbent midfielders.
N'Golo Kante will be out of contract next summer and is thought to be demanding a longer extension than Chelsea are willing to offer, while Mason Mount's long-term future at Stamford Bridge has also come into question.
The 23-year-old's current terms expire in 2024, although Chelsea are keen to extend his deal and have reportedly opened talks with him this week.
The Premier League side are confident that they will agree terms with Mount over an extension, but The Telegraph reports that Chelsea are considering other options in case negotiations drag on.
© Reuters
Roma captain Pellegrini is one of the players on their shortlist, although he is contracted to the Italian outfit until 2026 and it would therefore take a sizeable fee to prise him away from the Stadio Olimpico.
The report claims that Yeremy is also on Chelsea's radar, although he too is likely to cost at least £40m having attracted a number of suitors since breaking into the Villarreal first team.
Still only 19, Yeremy has already made his senior debut for Spain, played in the Europa League final and become a regular in the Champions League.
A number of Premier League rivals, including Liverpool and Arsenal, have also been credited with an interest in the midfielder, who is tied to Villarreal until 2027.
Barney Corkhill
