Antonio Conte wants to make Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain into a top wing-back
The Stamford Bridge club are poised to make a £25million move for the Arsenal contract rebel, who is yet to sign a new deal after rejecting the offer Arsenal made him last month.
Liverpool are also interested in the 23-year-old, who has just one more year left on his Gunners contract, but who has become frustrated after starting only 16 Premier League games last season.
Conte is keen on the England star but wants Oxlade-Chamberlain, bought as an attacking midfielder by the Gunners six years ago, primarily as a wing-back.
He played the role several times for Arsenal at the end of last season.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is yet to agree a new deal with Arsenal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reminisces over Arsenal signing
The Chelsea manager is looking for competition for his current wing-backs, Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses, with Oxlade Chamberlain seen as a possible upgrade on Moses on the right.
Chelsea are still locked in negotiations with Juventus over a £61m bid for Alex Sandro as their favoured option on the left.
But Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri, who signed Sandro in 2015, insists the 26-year-old is going nowhere.
“Alex Sandro is a Juve player,” Allegri said during his side's pre-season tour of the United States
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