Chelsea set to pip Juventus for new defender

Chelsea are interested in signing Schalke defender Sead Kolasinac as a replacement for Branislav Ivanovic, reports Sky Sports.

Ivanovic, 32, is on the verge of joining Zenit St. Petersburg after agreeing personal terms with the Russian Premier League giants and Antonio Conte wants to sign a replacement before Tuesday’s window to ensure he is not left short for the rest of the season.

As a result the current Premier League leaders, who also recalled Nathan Ake from a loan spell earlier this month, are now in talks with Kolasinac, although they face competition from Juventus.

Max Allegri’s side have been heavily linked with the versatile Schalke defender all month as they look to find a replacement for Patrice Evra, although they have been mooted with a summer deal when Kolasinac current deal is due to expire with the German side.

Of players to have started at least 10 Bundesliga matches this season only Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago (1 every 19.4 minutes) requires fewer minutes per interception than Kolasinac (1 every 21 minutes).