Chelsea make bid for Italy international defender Andrea Ranocchia

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wants to shore up his leaky defence with a major acquisition in the January transfer window and according to a report from Italy, Chelsea will make a move for Italy international centre back Andrea Ranocchia with a bid worth around 20 million Euros.

With Chelsea's captain and star centre back John Terry expected to find himself pushed down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge in the next couple of seasons, Jose Mourinho wants to move quickly to bring in a replacement. Italy international Ranocchia is hugely impressed since forcing his way into Inter Milan's first team in 2011 and has now firmly established himself as a member of the first team. The 6 foot 5 defender has also appeared more than a dozen times for Italy's national team.


Jose Mourinho apparently wants to partner Gary Cahill and Andrea Ranocchia together in part of a brand new look defence for next season, whilst John Terry will be available to rotate between the defensive pair. Inter Milan are believed to have already rejected offers for Ranocchia in the past, with Real Madrid amongst the teams having previously shown interest. However, Roman Abramovich is ready to bankroll a move for a new defender in the next six months and money will be made available to Jose Mourinho to sign Ranocchia.