Chelsea are facing a race against time to satisfy head coach Antonio Conte’s demand for at least three new signings before the transfer window shuts on Thursday night.

Despite closing in on a £15 million deal for Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente, which will please Conte, Chelsea have missed out to Liverpool on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and had not agreed fees for Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater or Everton’s Ross Barkley as the transfer window entered its final 24 hours.

Chelsea were left frustrated after Oxlade-Chamberlain turned down a move to Stamford Bridge in favour of Anfield, while Everton rejected a £25m bid for Barkley and told the Premier League champions that they want £35m for the injured midfielder, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract.

Leicester City have turned down two offers from Chelsea for Drinkwater and still value him at £35m, despite the 27-year-old’s transfer request and the prospect of a third bid. The success or failure of Chelsea’s third offer for Drinkwater could also hinge on whether or not Leicester have a replacement lined up at short notice.