Chelsea could be about to launch a move for Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi with reports of a deal being ‘all-but-agreed’.

De Rossi has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with both Chelsea and Manchester City named as likely destinations. The Italian midfielder has remained loyal to Roma, but the signing of PSV Eindhoven midfielder Kevin Strootman seems to be a replacement for the 29-year-old.

The Mirror reported that the deal was close earlier today, which was later backed up with reports in Italy of a move to be imminent.

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Jose Mourinho has long been a fan of De Rossi, which goes back to his attempts to sign him during his reigns at both Inter Milan and Real Madrid, but it seems an £11m deal could be enough to lure him to Stamford Bridge.

Roma are believed to have demanded the loan of Brazilian teenage full-back Wallace as part of the deal, and with Roma’s technical director Marcel Brands confirming the £15m agreement for Strootment, everything appears to be in place to give Mourinho the green light.

Wallace arrived from Fluminense for £4m but only joined up with the squad on Monday, and the deal could depend on Chelsea’s willingness to let the defender leave for a season before he has settled in London.

De Rossi would add vast experience to the midfield, and he is expected to partner Frank Lampard in the middle should he sign for the Blues, though new arrival Marco van Ginkel is expected to be nurtured through the first-team throughout the upcoming season.

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