Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Lead Miralem Pjanic Race, Alexandre Pato Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly in "pole position" to sign Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanic this summer following reports the Bosnian is attracting interest from a host of European giants. However, it seems increasingly unlikely Alexandre Pato will extend his stay with the Blues beyond this season.

According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Chelsea will look to add Pjanic to their squad if Italy boss Antonio Conte takes over at Stamford Bridge this summer (h/t Metro's Tom Olver).

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Former Juventus manager Conte has been tipped as the front-runner to replace Guus Hiddink at the end of this season, and his knowledge of Serie A may aid the west Londoners in landing targets from the Italian top flight.

The maestro Pjanic has been linked with an exit from the Stadio Olimpico for much of his four-and-a-half-year stay at Roma, and WhoScored.com provided evidence as to why he's become such a coveted asset:

Olver added the Giallorossi are allegedly "ready to listen to offers" for their midfield star, but that doesn't mean Chelsea won't have to fork out a pretty penny if they're to land his services.

As well as possessing a terrific knack for creating chances, Pjanic is a free-kick specialist who also boasts a considerable attacking threat of his own from long range, as recently depicted by OptaPaolo:

The 25-year-old has scored nine goals and made eight assists in 23 Serie A starts this season—the kind of figures out-of-form Chelsea whiz Eden Hazard could only dream of, as he has failed to score in the league this term.

The Blues haven't posed the same attacking threat with their Belgian star out of form, and it might make sense for Conte to recruit players he's more familiar with should he complete a move to Chelsea after the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship.

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Shifting attention back to the present, Hiddink has suggested Corinthians striker Pato may not extend his loan deal at Chelsea due to the rise in attacking competition of late.

The Brazilian is yet to make his debut since arriving on temporary terms in January, and Hiddink admitted the likes of Bertrand Traore and Loic Remy are still posing competition, per the Daily Star's Ian Baker:

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He’s eager, we have now the strikers, healthy competition going on with the strikers, in a very good atmosphere. Diego Costa is the No 1. The other ones have stepped up, especially I’m happy with the progress of Traore.

Although he’s a young guy and the others might have more status I’m not just looking at that I’m looking to the young guys making progress. He and Loic Remy are in position to compete.

Pato is not ready for 90 minutes, but now coming in the last stage that he is able to play part of the game. Once more I underline we consider also the chances for the young guys. Let’s hope he can make some impact in the near future, we have games coming up.

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The Dutchman went on to confess his youngsters are "a bit ahead" of Pato as things stand, and the next manager may look to continue offering the youth chances in the future rather than pay to sign Pato permanently.

Traore has impressed after netting goals against MK Dons, Newcastle United and Manchester City in the League Cup, Premier League and FA Cup, respectively, and has shone during Pato's absence.