AC Milan reject Chelsea’s £30m bid for defender – report

Matt Stead

AC Milan have rejected Chelsea’s £30million bid for Alessio Romagnoli, according to reports.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is desperate to sign a new defender before the end of the transfer window, with the Blues having reportedly tabled a final offer for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

And according to Sky Italia, Chelsea have now turned their attention to Romagnoli, but Milan are loathe to losing the 21-year-old, who they signed for £21million from Roma last summer.

Torino’s Nikola Maksimovic has also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and Conte has stressed the need to strengthen his defensive ranks.

“If you look now at our squad, we have only five defenders – four that started today and an academy player Ola Aina,” the Italian said after the 2-1 victory over Watford.

“Ola is very good – he has great potential – but with any young player you must work to put them in the first team. Sure, he has a good future.

“If one defender is injured or banned, then we are in trouble, but the club and me we know this and we are talking every day to improve the squad.”