Chelsea Transfer News: Top Rumours, Latest Players Wanted Ahead of Summer Window

Chelsea reportedly "won't give up" in their chase of Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci despite speculation Manchester City are willing to pay £51 million for the player. Elsewhere, Chinese interest in N'Golo Kante threatens to increase the player's price tag.

Inbound Blues manager Antonio Conte has been incessantly linked with a reunion alongside his former Juve stalwart Bonucci, but City's spending powers could mute any potential deal, per the Mirror's Darren Lewis.

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New City chief Pep Guardiola is said to rate Bonucci as one of his "favourite-ever players," according to Lewis' report, and after some sterling performances with Italy at Euro 2016, it's easy to see why.

The Citizens' interest appears genuine, too, after Sky Sports News HQ reported earlier in July that the Premier League giants had already seen a big-money bid for the centre-back rejected:

The Bianconeri are at an odds to hold on to their defensive talisman, who has now won five successive Serie A titles. He could earn bigger wages in England and may be considering his next career step at 29 years of age.

Bleacher Report's Adam Digby recently outlined Bonucci as a critical component in Juve's progression, however, pressing the notion the club must do all within its power to ensure he remains in Turin:

Chelsea veteran John Terry has penned a one-year contract extension to remain at Stamford Bridge until next summer, but the club will once again need to plan for his seemingly likely departure at that point.

Bonucci stands out as one of the world's in-form centre-backs at present, but given that City are reportedly willing to spend more than £50 million on his name, Chelsea could find themselves kept from any deal.

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Meanwhile, Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG are said to be eyeing a £35 million offer for Leicester City's Kante following his star displays for France at Euro 2016, per the Mirror (h/t the Daily Star's Luke Gardener).

The midfield anchor has enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months since joining the Foxes from Caen in a £5.6 million deal last summer, and Squawka illustrated how important his form has now become for Les Bleus:

Chelsea have been frequently linked as one of the teams interested in Kante, who is known to have a release clause of around £20 million, although a bigger bid from China could still win the chase.

Sven-Goran Eriksson-managed Shanghai may be able to offer massive wages in China, but Chelsea will hope Kante is planning to further his Premier League career before completing a move that could stunt his career.