Chelsea have moved one step closer to signing Fredy Guarin after Inter Milan’s sporting director Piero Ausilio has admitted that the midfielder has been given permission to talk to the Premier League giants.

The Colombian international is one of the prime targets of the Blues in the winter transfer window, while reports also emerged that a bid has been tabled for the 27-year-old.





There were also suggestions that Inter could be willing to agree a swap deal for Guarin, with unsettled Blues’ star Juan Mata going the other way.

Inter rejected clearly that no offer has been made for Guarin, as yet, but has admitted that the player will be given the permission to hold talks and that they could be willing to sell him to Chelsea, should the price is right.

Nerazzuri sporting director said recently while speaking to Sky Italia:

“With Chelsea there was contact, it is a source of pride because anyway Guarin is an important player,” he said.

“They have the permission to talk with the agent of the player, but in that case, would still be very happy. We have no desire to sell him. He is an important player and he’s showing it.”

Guarin has been in good form this season, scoring three goals already in 18 league appearances. The Blues will have to offer in excess of over £15m to enter into a negotiation and persuade the Italian giants to sell their star player.