Chelsea in talks with Inter over swap deal to sign World Cup midfielder

Davide Zappacosta has been handed a possible exit route from Chelsea, which would involve the Blues signing a star Serie A midfielder.

According to Calciomercato, Chelsea and Inter Milan are in talks for a swap deal that would see Matias Vecino move to Stamford Bridge and Zappacosta return to Italy.

Zappacosta joined Chelsea from Torino last summer, but failed to establish a regular starting role in the Premier League side.

The decision of Manchester United and Wolves target Joao Cancelo to join Juventus after a loan spell at Inter last season has opened up a space in the San Siro club’s line-up for a right-back, and they are understood to be keen on Zappacosta.

In return, Chelsea would ask for Inter’s Uruguay midfielder Matias Vecino, who moved to the Nerazzurri from Fiorentina last summer. Vecino played 29 times for Inter last season as they secured Champions League qualification with a fourth-placed finish in Serie A.

Potential new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is a long-term admirer of Vecino, who started Uruguay’s World Cup opener against Egypt and was replaced late on by Arsenal target Lucas Torreira. If Sarri does take over at Stamford Bridge, he is expected to sanction the Vecino-Zappacosta swap deal.

Vecino has also been linked with Tottenham, who could be about to lose Mousa Dembele, while Chelsea will be keen for new midfielders in case N’Golo Kante leaves for PSG.

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