Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Consider De Rossi Bid; the Latest Modric and Pastore News

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Chelsea will fight Manchester City for the signature of Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, according to reports in Italy today.

De Rossi has just one year left on his current contract at the Stadio Olimpico and Roma are keen to cash in on the 27-year-old now rather than risk letting him leave for free next summer.

The 27-year-old Italian international has been linked with Chelsea before but new manager Andre Villas-Boas is prepared to offer around £15m for the midfielder, after losing Michael Essien for six months following knee surgery. But TalkSPORT reports that Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is also planning a move for the versatile midfielder and could trump Chelsea with a £25m bid.

Modric latest

Tottenham have hinted that they are prepared to sell Luka Modric this summer by making a £12.3m offer for Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, the Daily Mail reports.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy yesterday reiterated that the Croatia playmaker will not be leaving White Hart Lane, but the similarities between Modric and Granero seriously undermines his assertion. Both players are attacking midfielders with impeccable close-control and the ability to dictate play in the centre of the park. Granero, 24, has found first-team opportunities limited under Jose Mourinho, with just eight starts in 19 league appearances, since joining from Getafe in 2009 and is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Modric is widely expected to submit a formal transfer request in the next few days as he attempts to force through a transfer to Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge club have already had two bids rejected by Tottenham and manager Harry Redknapp yesterday dismissed Chelsea's latest £27m offer as "pretty poor".

"I still think £27m is a pretty poor offer for a player of that ability. It wouldn't be anywhere near what I value him at if he was for sale, but he is not for sale. The chairman has made his stance. He is not for sale and that's it."

Pastore's new

Chelsea are likely to miss out on signing Palermo's Javier Pastore after the player suggested that he could turn down a move to London or Madrid and stay in Italy should he leave Sicily this summer.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a number of top-clubs across Europe, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Man City.

But Pastore has hinted that his future lies in Italy, at least for the time being.

"If I left Palermo, I would like to remain in Italy. I have played in Italy for the last two years and feel very comfortable there," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"If I leave Palermo it will be to join a stronger team. I know Palermo president [Maurizio] Zamparini speaks to my agent. I am calm."

Terry advice

Meanwhile, Andre Villas-Boas is set to beat Arsenal to the signature of Bolton defender Gary Cahill -- on the advice of John Terry, the Mirror reports. The England captain has advised Villas-Boas that the 25-year-old Cahill would be an ideal replacement for Bayern Munich-bound Alex, although Bolton's £18m price tag could prove prohibitive.