Chelsea set price tag for wantaway defender

Chelsea are reportedly reluctant to sanction the sale of defender Davide Zappacosta this summer unless a club is willing to match their £23m asking price.

Blues manager Frank Lampard has stuck with captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the right-back role for the recent games and it is suggested that he would prefer Reece James for the back-up role when he returns to full fitness.

According to Goal.com AS Roma are keen on recruiting the services of Zappacosta from the west London giants and they have proposed an initial loan move for the Italy international.

However, the approach has been snubbed by the Europa League holders, and they are said to prefer the permanent departure of Zappacosta, who is not in the plans of Lampard.

At present, the Blues want around £23m for the former Torino man but the Giallorossi are yet to respond over the same despite the Italian transfer window closing on Sunday.