Chelsea £15m apart in negotiations for Danny Drinkwater after Leicester City reject opening bid

Chelsea have so far refused to follow up a £15million bid for Danny Drinkwater that was rejected by Leicester City earlier in the summer, according to reports.

Antonio Conte is desperate to bolster his options in midfield following Nemanja Matic’s departure to Manchester United.

The Blues signed Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco before Matic left but Conte believes further reinforcements are necessary ahead of what threatens to be a daunting campaign.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley emerged as targets for the Italian boss but recent reports suggest Drinkwater has also caught the eye of the reigning champions.

The Telegraph say Chelsea tabled an initial offer of £15m for the England international some weeks ago but have not followed up with an improved bid.

Leicester are keen to keep hold of the 27-year-old and it is claimed Chelsea’s first approach was around £15m below his valuation.

Drinkwater would be tempted by the opportunity to join Chelsea, who will return to the Champions League this season, although there will be no guarantees of a starting place at Stamford Bridge.

When asked about the chances of Drinkwater leaving the King Power Stadium this summer, Craig Shakespeare said: ‘We don’t want to be a selling club, we want to add to it.

‘We don’t want to sell our best players. The speculation is always going to be out there at this time of year.

‘You know when you have good players there might be an interest in them. You have to deal with reality but also keep a calmness about you as well.’

Chelsea have spent nearly £150million on signing Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger and Bakayoko this summer but Conte is keen to add three of four new faces to his squad before the window closes.

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