Report: Chelsea consider £18m Nikola Maksimovic move

Fans arrive at Stamford Bridge prior to the FA Cup game between Chelsea and Manchester City on February 20, 2016
© Getty Images
A report claims that Chelsea are to launch an £18m bid for Torino's 24-year-old centre-back Nikola Maksimovic.

Chelsea are reportedly preparing an £18m move for Torino defender Nikola Maksimovic.

The Premier League outfit are widely expected to move for a new centre-back this summer, but have thus far been frustrated in their attempts to bring Juventus's Leonardo Bonucci to England.

According to The Mirror, head coach Antonio Conte has now switched his attention to Maksimovic and is confident that a bid of £18m would convince Torino to part with the 24-year-old.

Maksimovic, who joined Torino from Red Star Belgrade in 2013, has made 12 appearances for the Serbian national team. He is contracted to his Serie A club until the summer of 2018.

Leonardo Bonucci scores during the game between Juventus and Hellas Verona on January 6, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City33009369
2Chelsea33007259
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd33006159
4Everton32104227
5Hull City32014226
6Middlesbrough31203215
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs31203215
8Arsenal31116514
9Leicester CityLeicester31113304
10West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom31112204
11Liverpool311156-14
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham310235-23
13Burnley310224-23
14Swansea CitySwansea310224-23
15Southampton302124-22
16Sunderland301235-21
17Crystal Palace301213-21
18Watford301236-31
19Bournemouth301225-31
20Stoke CityStoke301226-41