Everton have rejected Chelsea’s £25million offer for Ross Barkley and are still holding out for a bid of £40m for the England international.
The Times says Antonio Conte’s charge stepped up their interest in Barkley earlier in the week but failed with their opening bid.
Barkley is expected to leave Goodison Park in the coming days after Ronald Koeman confirmed he had likely played his last game for the club.
The 23-year-old, who will be a free agent next summer, is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and will be out of action for much of the rest of the year.
But Chelsea, who are expected to bolster Conte’s squad with two or three signings before Thursday’s deadline, are undeterred and plan to continue talks with Everton to come to an agreement.
London rivals Tottenham have also expressed interest in signing the England midfielder but Chelsea appear in pole position with Conte demanding a late flurry of arrivals.
Chelsea appeared set to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after agreeing a £35m fee with Arsenal, but the 24-year-old has reportedly rejected the Blues as he hopes to join Liverpool.
The fellow England international has snubbed multiple contract offers from Arsenal this summer and believes he can continue his development under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
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