Chelsea is prepared to bid an eye-watering £87.5m to land Juventus superstar Paul Pogba, according to respected Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri.
Palmeri also claimed that the Blues held talks with Juventus hierarchy over a potential deal for the former Manchester United midfielder last night.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is desperate to add some new star names before the transfer window slams shut.
Chelsea started their season poorly and they are already eight points behind league leaders Manchester City, who have improved their team with the signing of Kevin De Bruyne.
Pogba is one of the hottest properties in world football and attracted interest from many European giants and Mourinho wants the European Golden Boy to reinforce his underperforming midfield.
While any deal will prove difficult, Chelsea are looking to test Juventus’ resolve by tabling a mammoth amount for the Frenchman.
BeIN Sports reporter Palmeri tweeted: “Again! Chelsea and Juventus had another contact over Pogba last night! Chelsea are said to be ready to up the bid to €120m”
Again! Chelsea and Juventus had another contact for Pogba in the night! Chelsea have said to be ready to up the 120m€ bid
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) August 30, 2015
The deal still has a long way to run and it would be proved tricky to finalise before Tuesday’s deadline.
And, Pogba is understood to be happy to stay at Juve and then move to Barcelona next summer.
But, if the reports of this huge amount prove accurate, the Italian giants would be forced to seriously consider letting their main man join Chelsea in the coming days.
Pogba is known as a complete midfielder who is good defensively and offensively and has an eye for goal. He has good technique and flair and good dribbling skills for a strong and big player.
He won three back to back Serie A titles at Juventus and was a key part of their finishing runners-up in Champions League last season.
With France national team, he has 23 caps and was awarded best young player in FIFA World Cup 2014.
He was in Serie A team of the season in 2013-14 and was awarded 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball.