Chelsea make deadline day bid for Spanish centre-back

Chelsea's relentless pursuit of the best European young talent continues, as the Blues submitted a 20 million euro bid for Real Zaragoza central defender Alejandro Frances today, with discussions expected to continue throughout the day for the 21-year-old. Frances has already appeared for Spain's international youth team at every single level and is highly regarded in his home country.

Frances is an extremely versatile defender, able to play central, left-side or right-side of defence, and so far in La Liga 2 this season the defender has already played three times, scoring one goal.

The defender has been monitored by a host of top Spanish sides, that includes the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but so far Zaragoza have rejected all approaches.

However, Chelsea are ready to almost double the defender's valuation with a move on transfer deadline day, and the likely reward of a seven-year deal, as has been the case with every deal the Blues have completed so far this this year.

Frances is eager for a move to England, and will earn almost eight times his current salary with a Chelsea deal.