Davide Zappacosta in talks with Inter Milan as Chelsea set asking price for summer transfer
Chelsea defender Davide Zappacosta is in talks with Inter Milan over a summer move, reports say.
The Italian defender only joined Chelsea on deadline day last summer but is already being strongly linked with a departure from Stamford Bridge.
Zappacosta made 38 appearances for the Blues in all competitions as the club finished fifth in the Premier League but won the FA Cup.
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Inter Milan have identified the right back as a top target this summer and Sky Sports say the Italian outfit has met with his agent at their headquarters in Milan.
It is also claimed that Chelsea are prepared to sell Zappacosta, who is contracted to the club until 2021, for £17.5m, over £5m less than they paid for him last August.
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If Zappacosta does not agree a permanent move away, Chelsea are ready to send the Italian out on loan with an option for Inter Milan to make the move permanent at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Zappacosta spent two seasons at Torino before moving to west London and made his international debut two years ago.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are expected to replace Antonio Conte with Maurizio Sarri in the coming days, with Gianfranco Zola set to be named his number two.
On Wednesday, Zolas agent said: Gianfranco is a Blues legend and his arrival is not dependent on that of Sarri.
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I can only speak on behalf of my client and reaffirm that there has not yet been any meeting with the Chelsea management.
For Sarri to go to Chelsea, three things need to happen: Conte has to be sacked, Napoli and the Blues have to reach an agreement and, finally, Sarri has to reach an agreement with the club.
It [working with Zola] is a hypothesis, but wed have to see what the roles would be and how their duties would be split.
MORE: Liverpool ready to beat Tottenhams offer to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa
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