Chelsea make offer for Oscar de Marcos

Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Athletic Bilbao to pursue the services of Spanish full-back Oscar de Marcos. The 27-year-old has been with the Basque outfit since 2009.

Blues boss Antonio Conte is desperate to reinforce his defensive options in January, and this has urged him to lodge an offer for De Marcos, Spanish source Desmarque claims.

De Marcos, who normally features in the right-back position, has been eyed as a possible replacement for Branislav Ivanovic, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the current season.

The Spaniard also has the potential to play at central midfield and left-back, and this only adds more versatility to the Blues setup.

The Blues are willing to offer De Marcos with a four-year contract with twice his current wages, but the transfer sum could prove to be the stumbling block.

Bilbao want Chelsea to pay out the player's £36m release clause if they are to have any chance of recruiting their asset in the New Year.

De Marcos has appeared in over 200 league outings for the Athletic Bilbao since joining from Alaves.