​Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci as the Italian champions are ready to negotiate a potential deal, but only if it includes Cesc Fabregas moving to Turin, according to ​The Sun.





Blues boss Antonio Conte was desperate to sign the 29-year-old in the summer, having a £47.5m bid rejected by Juventus.

But next summer could see the reliable defender complete a switch to West London, with Juventus reportedly keen on signing out-of-favour midfielder Fabregas.





Juve boss Max Allegri is reportedly keen on signing the Spaniard as a replacement for the ageing Claudio Marchisio, who has occupied the playmaker role following Andrea Pirlo's exit in 2015.

EXCLUSIVE: Juventus will allow Bonucci to join Chelsea if they receive Blues star in return https://t.co/REXWbnZfIn pic.twitter.com/3oJCzMW8e7 — The Sun - Chelsea (@SunChelsea) October 7, 2016

The Sun also report that Conte hasn't been impressed with Gary Cahill so far this season, and that Bonucci is a prime candidate to replace the former Bolton defender next summer.





The Italy defender is entering his seventh season at the Bianconeri, in which he has appeared 281 times, scoring 16 goals from defence.





The cost of a potential deal will most likely be unhappy reading to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, as Juve will demand £50m AND Cesc Fabregas in order to push a deal across the line.

Chelsea can have Bonucci for a world record fee, PLUS Fabregas! Report here: https://t.co/OKtuPOFUDP #CFC pic.twitter.com/08vZB013p7 — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 7, 2016

Despite a superb start in the Premier League this season under Conte, Chelsea have struggled in recent weeks; recording consecutive defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal before narrowly beating newly-promoted Burnley.





Next up for the West Londoners is a crucial clash with title-holders Leicester City, who will travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 15th.





A win could see Chelsea go as high as third in the Premier League table, while a defeat could see them slip into eighth behind London rivals Crystal Palace.



