Chelsea are understood to be demanding a fee of £23million for Davide Zappacosta amid reports that Serie A side Roma are keen on the Italian right-back.
Chelsea would like to offload the Italian defender before close of the European transfer window and a return to Italy looks like the most obvious option for the 27-year-old.
But Goal are reporting that the Blues want a transfer fee of €25m for the Italy international, who cost €28m plus bonuses when he arrived from Torino in 2017.
Roma are the team showing the most interest in Zappacosta right now with the Serie A club looking to sign a right-back and a central defender before the window closes for them on September 2.
Roma’s new sporting director Gianluca Petrachi is a fan of Zappacosta, who he actually sold to Chelsea when he was the man in charge of transfers at Torino.
Roma want Zappacosta: the situation https://t.co/E7c1dxnr9Y pic.twitter.com/3vdJLVVCRI
— CalcioMercato (En) (@CmdotCom_En) June 4, 2019
But he now wants to end Zappacosta’s difficult time in England, during which he has made just 26 Premier League appearances, by taking him back in Italy.
Chelsea’s stance over Zappacosta had been affected by the injury sustained by right-back Reece James during the Toulon Tournament.
James, who emerged as a real star for Wigan Athletic while on loan at the Championship club last term, needed surgery to fix the ankle ligament injury he suffered while playing for England’s Under-21 side.
Frank Lampard did not want to be left without enough options to cover for Cesar Azpilicueta, But James’ progress has been good and he isn’t far away from returning to training.
Lampard’s reply, when asked if Zappacosta would be leaving before the end of the month, was also telling. “That’s not clear yet,” he said.
“Zappacosta is our player. Reece [James] is injured and will potentially be another two or three weeks until he’s back. That’s a decision that will be made as we go on.”
Lampard praised Zappacosta’s attitude and quality and how the Italian has trained, despite not getting much of a chance to play recently.
“We have to make sure we are happy with the squad when the European window shuts,” he added. “It’ll be a decision for us and Zappa. I want players happy.”
