Diego Lopez agent confirms Chelsea interest in AC Milan goalkeeper is 'concrete and real'

Antonio Conte's summer transfer exploits at Chelsea could involve the addition of a new goalkeeper, with the agent of Diego Lopez confirming rumours that the Premier League club's interest in his client is genuine.

The experienced former Real Madrid, Villarreal and Sevilla stopper currently represents AC Milan, but could be seeking to exit Serie A over the coming weeks having made just nine appearances across all competitions last season after losing his place to 17-year-old Italian wunderkind Gianluigi Donnarumma.

"[An offer] has not yet been made, but the interest is real and concrete," Lopez's representative, Manuel Garcia Quilon, told Calciomercato, as reported by Goal.

Chelsea's need for another keeper is not immediately obvious, with rumours over a potential exit for current number one Thibaut Courtois having now simmered down despite a hugely disappointing 2015/16 campaign that saw the club relinquish their title in pathetic fashion and fail to secure qualification for any European competition. However, veteran third-choice custodian Marco Amelia has been released after the expiration of his short-term deal, while back-up Asmir Begovic is believed to be courting attention from a top-flight rival.

According to speculation from Italy cited by the Liverpool Echo, the Bosnian international has emerged as a prominent target for new Everton boss Ronald Koeman as he seeks to further bolster his goalkeeping options following the arrivals of former Southampton loanee Maarten Stekelenburg and teenage pair Chris Renshaw and Joe Hilton. Tim Howard recently bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park after 10 years in order to return to his native United States with Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Colorado Rapids, while Joel Robles largely flattered to deceive under Roberto Martinez and academy talent Jindrich Stanek was released.

Those reports appear to suggest that Chelsea's move for Lopez could be dependent on Everton enticing former Portsmouth and Stoke City man Begovic, who featured 25 times under Jose Mourinho and interim boss Guus Hiddink following an £8m move to west London in July 2015.