Chelsea Transfer News: Federico Bernardeschi Offer Prepared, Fresh Blues Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a €45 million (£38.3 million) offer for Fiorentina forward Federico Bernardeschi.

According to Calciomercato's Steve Mitchell, Fiorentina "have decided to cash in on the 22-year-old," and Blues manager Antonio Conte is a big fan of the young Italian star.

The article added that any deal involving Bernardeschi moving to Chelsea will likely not go through until the summer; he is seen as a potential replacement for Diego Costa, whose future at Stamford Bridge reportedly remains uncertain. 

Unlike Costa, though, the Italy international is more of a playmaker or winger, rather than a conventional No. 9.

He boasts excellent distribution and comfort on the ball, and he has also been effective in front of goal so far this season, netting seven times in 14 Serie A appearances, per WhoScored.com.

Bernardeschi would be a useful player for Conte to have in his squad as he can operate on either flank or through the middle.

Given his youth, he is also only likely to improve under the Italian's tutelage, and he could learn a lot at Stamford Bridge from the likes of Costa, Eden Hazard and Pedro.

Bernardeschi arguably has yet to prove he is worth €45 million (£38.3 million), but it seems he could be available in 2017, and he would add further depth and quality to an already-excellent Chelsea squad.

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Meanwhile, Chelsea continue to be linked with a move for AS Roma centre-back Antonio Rudiger, although they look set to face fierce competition for his signature.

Per Corriere dello Sport (via Calciomercato), Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and the Blues are all lining up January bids for the 23-year-old Germany international, and Roma are "prepared to listen to offers."

One of the key features of Chelsea's recent eight-match winning run that has seen them to the top of the Premier League table is how solid they have been in defence—they have conceded just twice.

Conte's switch to a three-man defence of David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta has worked fantastically well, and Chelsea once again look like a title-wining force:

However, the defensive depth at Stamford Bridge is lacking, with former stalwarts John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic very much in decline.

Rudiger would be a fine addition to Conte's squad as he is young, mobile and versatile, but Chelsea are seemingly not the only side who want to add him to their ranks.