Chelsea chasing Parma midfielder and Benfica centre-back – reports

Marco Parolo: Chelsea interested in the Italian

Marco Parolo: Chelsea interested in the Italian

Chelsea interested in signing Lazio midfielder Marco Parolo and Benfica defender Victor Lindelof as new boss Antonio Conte plans to strengthen his squad, according to reports.

Parolo, 31, and Lindelof, 22, played for Italy and Sweden respectively at Euro 2016 and could soon be team-mates at Stamford Bridge .

According to cittaceleste.it, Conte is a big admirer of his fellow countryman Parolo, following his spell in charge of the national team, and wants to bring the versatile midfielder to London.

Conte has also turned to Lindelof as a cheaper option following big bids for both Leonardo Bonucci and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Parolo, the former Parma midfielder, has won 24 caps for Italy and was a key player in the Azzuri’s journey to the quarter finals in France this summer.

The fee though would have to be at least €25million following a rejected bid from AC Milan last summer.

Lindelof has a £25million release clause and Chelsea are very interested in taking the Swede, according to The Mirror.

The centre-back impressed during his breakthrough campaign last season, and was allegedly courted by Manchester United last summer, but the approach was rebuffed.