Chelsea are considering a bid for 32-year-old Ivan Perisic as they look to address their wing-back crisis, according to reports.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell have both suffered serious injuries, leaving Marcos Alonso as the only fit, recognised wing-back at the club.
The Blues were interested in Lucas Digne but the Frenchman has since completed a move to Aston Villa, while Theo Hernandez, another target, is negotiating a new contract with AC Milan.
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As a result, the recruitment team have been forced to turn their attention elsewhere, with Perisic emerging as a realistic option, according to the Mirror.
The Croatian international has been a key figure for Inter this season, starting 25 matches in all competitions for the league leaders.
However, his contract is up in the summer, and given he turns 33 next month, he will no doubt be eager to secure one last lucrative deal before his playing powers begin to decline. Inter are thought to be ‘open to offers’.
Chelsea know full well the impact a veteran can make, with 36-year-old Thiago Silva having guided them to Champions League glory in his first season at the club.
Perisic would not only bring valued experience and quality but would address a vital area for Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea continue to fight on four fronts.
Tuchel said of his plans for this window: “We are discussing and are in talks with the board and the scouting. We are checking the possibilities, as we always do.
“We are looking into the market and the possibilities. Not under the highest pressure but things have to make sense for us.”
On Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, he said: “We could have had much more if we played was better timing, better precision. It’s simply like this.
“In the first half in the opponent’s half we had eight or nine transition chances and out of them we did not have one touch in the box. That’s what I’m critical about.
“That you miss chances is no problem. Everybody wants to score from every big chance and of course you don’t get a lot in top games. For efficiency you need a bit of luck and composure but we could have had much more chances.
“The ball losses were too early and were too poor, and decision-making and timing was not on the level that you need in this kind of level of football match.”
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