These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Inter in fresh link with Giroud

According to Sky Sports, Inter Milan have not given up on their efforts to sign Olivier Giroud and have made a new bid for the Chelsea striker.

Earlier reports suggested the Serie A club had cooled their interest in the France international but Sky suggests they have put in a new offer after their attempt to bring in Fernando Llorente from Napoli fell through.

The broadcaster adds there is no shortage of interest in Giroud with Lazio and two Premier League clubs also expressing interest in signing the 33-year-old.

‘Lazio have entered the race to sign the France international and the Serie A side are looking to secure an agreement with Chelsea before Friday's transfer deadline,’ states the report.

‘Sky in Italy are reporting that Lazio are looking to bring Giroud to the Stadio Olimpico on a two-and-a-half-year contract, worth an estimated 3m euros per season.

‘Giroud has turned down two approaches from Newcastle United this month, while the player would be open to a move to Tottenham.’

Mertens talks ongoing

ESPN.com reports Napoli have rejected an offer from Chelsea for Dries Mertens but negotiations are continuing on a deal before the transfer window closes today.

Citing their own sources, the broadcasters state: ‘The Belgian striker wants to sign for the Blues but the discussions between the two clubs are moving slowly.

‘Mertens, 32, is out of contract in the summer and Chelsea have offered €7 million to recruit him now. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis rejected the bid and is proving quite difficult to deal with.

‘Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia is leading the pursuit for Mertens and is considering making a better offer of €10m on Friday to secure the signing.’

Cavani to Chelsea in the summer?

Spanish journalist Jon Hernandez has told TalkSport that Edinson Cavani could be heading to Chelsea in the summer if Paris Saint-Germain turn down Atletico Madrid’s late efforts to sign him during the current transfer window.

Cavani is out of contract in PSG at the end of the season and will be available on a free transfer, opening up the possibility he could sign for the Blues.

‘Could Cavani be coming to London? There’s a chance, definitely,’ said Hernandez.

‘He has been linked with Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone is desperate to get his transfer, but it looks like PSG are going to turn down the last offer from Atletico Madrid.

‘He will stay in Paris and that has opened the door to Cavani moving to Chelsea or even Manchester United at the end of the season.

‘It’s true, he’s 33-years-old and it’s not the same Cavani that we saw two or three years ago, but he is very competitive, he is a fighter.

‘He’s not having an easy season in Paris because there are big names ahead of him like Mbappe, Neymar and Icardi, but still I think Cavani is a guy who can score goals.’