Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alessio Romagnoli and Victor Moses

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will be handed the funds to launch a January pursuit of AC Milan centre-back Alessio Romagnoli.

That's according to Calciomercato (h/t Dipesh Agarwal of Sport Witness), which suggested Blues owner Roman Abramovich is ready to part with in excess of €40 million (£34 million) to secure the signing of the Italy international. As noted in the report, Chelsea were strongly linked with Romagnoli in the summer.

However, it's also suggested the Rossoneri are keen to keep hold of the 21-year-old star, and as such, any offer will be rebuffed.

The defender has excelled at the San Siro and is considered by many to be the brightest defensive prospect in Italian football. Here is a look at what he can offer:

Abramovich is reportedly delighted with how Conte has reinvigorated this Chelsea team, who went top of the Premier League table after a win over Middlesbrough on Sunday, and he is now keen to back him in the transfer market, according to Calciomercato.

Romagnoli would be quite the capture if the Blues were able to get him on board. The centre-back has all the tools to become a world-class operator and has showcased a remarkable maturity in his outings for Milan during his 18 months at the club.

Indeed, beIN Sports' Matteo Bonetti noted how important the youngster has already become to Vincenzo Montella's side:

After a few seasons in the wilderness, there's a positivity back at Milan because of the emergence of young players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manuel Locatelli and Romagnoli. Selling off one of those crown jewels would be a hugely unpopular decision among the club's supporters.

Chelsea's defensive setup has thrived since Conte switched to a back three in October. But with formerly key players such as John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic now past their best, a player in the mould of Romagnoli, who could be a linchpin in the team for many years, would represent a fine acquisition.

Victor Moses Rumours Denied

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses has been advised to concentrate on football by his manager after surprise links to Barcelona.

"About Victor, I repeat, it's important to be focused on the present," said Conte when quizzed on the speculation at a news conference. "It's important to be focused game by game. Now we are doing very well. But for me, I don't want to think that my players see so long [into the future]."

Sport reported the Blaugrana were considering a move for Moses as they look for a solution at right-back and that they have scouted him on a trio of occasions this season (via ESPN FC's Liam Twomey).

At the beginning of the season, that prospect would have been laughed off. But the Nigeria international has been outstanding under Conte,blazing his way up and down the right flank as a wing-back. Bleacher Report UK tracked his astonishing recent rise:

Moses never looked set to make it at Chelsea following loan spells with Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United. But he's been handed a role that accentuates his positive traits: pace, power, dribbling ability and energy.

It's a testament to Moses' progression that the likes of Barcelona are linked with him. The 25-year-old has shown great determination to force his way into the Chelsea team, and while a move to the Camp Nou would be tempting, he'll surely be keen to show what he can do at Stamford Bridge for a while yet.