Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Ready to Swoop for Stefan de Vrij, Top Rumours

Chelsea are preparing a summer bid for Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij after reports from Italy said the player is ready to depart Rome.

Tutto Mercato Web (h/t Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star) reported the 25-year-old could move to Stamford Bridge in a £21 million switch after De Vrij turned down the opportunity to pen an extension.

Chelsea will have a gap in their squad at the end of the campaign if John Terry departs the league leaders, and the Dutchman could be chosen as his successor, per Turrell.

The former Feyenoord star has suffered with injury, but that has not stopped manager Antonio Conte considering a swoop.

Here is the defender in action:

In other Blues news, the agent of Jonathan Biabiany has discussed how his client's loan move to Chelsea collapsed, despite the personal intervention of Conte to secure a deal.

According to Calciomercato (h/t Louis Sealey of Metro), Davide Bega said the Blues manager was keen to add the Inter Milan player to his squad.

"Conte wanted him and personally talked to Jonathan to persuade him to move to Chelsea," said Bega. "The offer, however, was late. They called us on Sunday night and the transfer window was closing two days later. There was no time to finalise a deal."

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

The 28-year-old wide player was primarily used as a substitute by Inter last term, rising from the bench on 13 occasions in Serie A but starting only seven times, according to WhoScored.com.

However, he has completely fallen out of favour at the San Siro this season, as highlighted by ESPN FC's Michael Yokhin:

De Vrij is ready to make the step up from the Italian league, and his concentration and tackling would make him the perfect partner for David Luiz in the heart of the defence.

However, his injury record makes his signing a risk, though the Blues do need to add an international centre-back if Terry finally departs the club.

The club captain will be impossible to replace in terms of his drive and leadership, but Conte must add younger faces to his matchday squad.