Chelsea Transfer News: Marcelo Brozovic Deal Reportedly Close, Latest Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of completing a £25 million deal to sign Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic as manager Antonio Conte seeks engine-room reinforcements. Plus, Fiorentina left-back Marcos Alonso is close to a west London switch. 

According to the Daily Mail's Matt Barlow, Chelsea hope to complete the deal before Wednesday's summer transfer deadline, with Inter more open to selling after recruiting Sporting Lisbon ace Joao Mario.

FRANCISCO LEONG/Getty Images

Brozovic only recently completed a permanent transfer to the San Siro after enjoying a successful 18 months on loan from former club Dinamo Zagreb, but the playmaker could once again be on the move this week.

Despite adding N'Golo Kante to his ranks already, Conte is hoping to add more "energy and aggression" to his midfield, and Nizaar Kinsella of Goal attested to the fact Brozovic has been played out of position in Milan of late:

The Croatia international was a favourite of former Nerazzurri manager Roberto Mancini, who brought him to Italy in the first place, but new boss Frank de Boer doesn't appear to rate the player quite as highly.

As such, Conte has sensed a move may be on the cards, and Nigerian broadcaster Deji Kofi Faremi gave Chelsea major credit in advance if they do manage to cut a deal for 23-year-old Brozovic:

Barlow added in his report that Serie A champions Juventus have also shown an interest in the 20-times capped Croatia international, but Inter would prefer to sell to a team outside the Italian top flight.

Chelsea's progress in their pursuit of the player has been swift, too, after Di Marzio translator David Amoyal reported on Sunday that Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio wasn't keen on the thought of a sale:

Meanwhile, former Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland left-back Alonso is understood to be closing in on a return to the Premier League amid talk of a £23 million move to west London.

That's according to Barlow, and the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano suggested Fiorentina had been forced to consider the sale after Chelsea made a big-money offer for his services:

The 25-year-old's arrival would allow right-footed Cesar Azpilicueta to move back to his natural position of right-back and shift Branislav Ivanovic to central defence—where Chelsea have been hunting new recruits—if needed.

Real Madrid academy graduate Alonso has made 25 appearances in the English top flight, according to Transfermarkt, but a move to Stamford Bridge would represent his first time playing for one of Europe's true elite.