Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Alessio Romagnoli and Nikola Maksimovic Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly been rebuffed by AC Milan in their attempts to recruit Alessio Romagnoli as an alternative to Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, meaning Torino's Nikola Maksimovic may be their next target.

The Telegraph's Matt Law reported that the Blues have been "warned off" making a move to sign Romagnoli, who was being considered as a secondary option after Chelsea failed to advance in their pursuit of Koulibaly.

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According to Law, Chelsea's most recent offer for the Napoli central defender was worth £40 million, but the Partenopei are eager to retain the services of the Senegal international.

Central defence has been looked upon as a key area in need of reinforcement by head coach Antonio Conte, but Bleacher Report's Adam Digby outlined just how crucial a component Romagnoli is to Milan:

Blues veteran John Terry, 35, is likely set to exit Stamford Bridge when his contract expires at the end of this season, but Conte has thus far been spurned in his attempts to recruit a Serie A replacement.

Di Marzio translator David Amoyal also testified to the fact that Milan's new shareholders will be keen to keep hold of as many of their most prized assets as possible for the time being:

Law went on to detail that Chelsea could now make a £25 million offer for Torino totem Maksimovic, although Koulibaly remains their preferred first choice, and it's said he, too, "would prefer to move to Stamford Bridge."

Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol recently reported that Maksimovic could join the west London club for less than the aforementioned £25 million, adding that Napoli are also interested:

Each of the aforementioned targets play a part in an evolving web of transfer speculation, although the Blues are not yet any closer to securing the central defender Conte feels he needs.

Torino have already lost Poland central defender Kamil Glik to AS Monaco this summer, and WhoScored.com pointed to Maksimovic as the other star piece in their defensive puzzle:

Kurt Zouma is still sidelined at Stamford Bridge after suffering a knee injury earlier this year, leaving Branislav Ivanovic and right-back Ola Aina as cover for the centre-back pairing of Gary Cahill and Terry.

Conte has but a week of the transfer window left in which to sign the central star needed to beef up his back line, and both Romagnoli and Koulibaly might be out of reach for the Chelsea boss.