Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is ready to spend €80m in the last few days of the transfer window, with half earmarked for a defender and an enquiry made for Lazio's Stefan de Vrij, according to Italian outlet Lalaziosiamonoi.it.
Conte is desperate to add further players to his squad before the window slams shut until the winter on Wednesday night, despite the fact the Blues have made a strong start to the new Premier League season, winning all three of their games so far.
Conte has €80m ready to spend and will use half of it, if needed, on a defender.
Chelsea have so far met with disappointment in their search for a centre-back, seeing proposals for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli knocked back.
Now Dutch international De Vrij is in Chelsea's sights and the Blues have made an enquiry about signing the centre-back.
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The Blues are claimed to have indicated that they are willing to pay €28m plus bonus payments for De Vrij.
But so late in the transfer window Lazio have no intention of selling De Vrij and it is suggested only a bid of around €55m could change their mind.
De Vrij missed most of last season through injury, but has quickly got into the groove this summer.
