Cesc Fabregas on AC Milan radar but Chelsea push for player plus cash deal

AC Milan are set to continue with their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas and are hoping to bring the midfielder to the San Siro during the January transfer window. The former Arsenal and Barcelona star has struggled for regular game time at Stamford Bridge this season, but is adamant that he will remain with the Blues and fight for his place.

It was reported earlier in the summer that the two clubs from England and Italy had reached a verbal agreement about a loan move in January, but Antonio Conte indicated that the Spaniard remains a part of his plans this season. However, Milan are not willing to stop their pursuit and are said to be planning another approach for the midfielder, but will have to agree to Chelsea's demand to have any chance of signing Fabregas.

Italian publication CalcioMercatoWeb reports that Vincenzo Montella has made signing the Spain international one of his top priorities in January. But Chelsea will demand that they allow defender Mattia De Sciglio and pay a fee of €10m (£8.7m, $11.1m) as part of the deal that will take the midfielder to Italy.

The west London club are struggling in defence this season and Conte admitted that it is a big problem that needs solving. They have conceded nine goals in seven games and the manager has failed to find a consistent back four in the absence of John Terry, who is injured. De Sciglio has featured five times for Milan this season at left back and will be a further addition as the manager looks to move Cezar Azpilicueta back to his original position at right-back or play him as a right sided full-back like he did during Chelsea's win over Hull City on Saturday (1 October).

Fabregas has struggled to make an impact this season and his four appearances in the Premier League thus far have included just one start, which was against Arsenal, when he was withdrawn after just 55 minutes. Apart from that he has played just 32 minutes in the league in his other three appearances as a substitute.