Chelsea have made a 35m euros (£30m) bid for former Real Madrid defender Mario Gila, according to reports in Italy.
Gila, 24, spent three years in Real Madrid’s reserve team before making his first-team debut for Los Blancos during the 2021-22 campaign.
The former Spain U21 star only made one more appearance for Real Madrid, however, before being sold to Lazio in the summer of 2022.
Lazio spent £5m to sign Gila from Real Madrid and the centre-back has been a mainstay in the team over the past two seasons.
Gila made over 40 appearances last season as Lazio finished seventh in Serie A and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
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Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri, who previously managed Chelsea, does not want to lose the Spaniard this summer but a number of clubs are interested in a deal.
Italian outlet Il Messaggero say Chelsea, Tottenham, Bournemouth and PSG have all expressed interest in signing Gila.
They also claim that Chelsea have already made an offer worth £30m, which was quickly rejected by Lazio.
Lazio are also believed to have rejected a £35m bid from Bournemouth but will be prepared to sell if they receive an offer in the region of £50m.
Gila is yet to represent Spain but was included in the senior squad for their Nations League quarter-final against Netherlands earlier in the year.
Chelsea summer transfers
In:
Liam Delap
Dario Essugo
Estevao Willian
Mamadou Sarr
Out:
Marcus Bettinelli
Bashir Humphreys
Defence is one of several areas Chelsea are looking to bolster this summer after an encouraging 2024-25 campaign.
Enzo Maresca’s side finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for next year’s Champions League and won the Conference League.
The Blues have already signed £30m striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town and welcomed Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr to Stamford Bridge after sealing their signatures earlier in the year.
Chelsea are keen to sign another forward – either a striker of a winger – as well as more defenders.
The west London club were in advanced talks to sign French goalkeeper Mike Maigan from AC Milan but the deal collapsed over the asking price.
Chelsea are also open to offers for a number of unwanted players, including Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku.
Following a brief opening earlier in the month, the summer transfer window re-opens on Monday and shuts again on September 1.
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