Chelsea making opening bid for Fabregas replacement

Chelsea have submitted a £26.8m bid for Zenit midfielder Leandro Paredes, claims the London Evening Standard.

Maurizio Sarri’s side confirmed Cesc Fabregas’ departure to Monaco on Friday and now they are on the market for his replacement.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Cagliari starlet Nicolo Barella but appear to have prioritised Paredes’ arrival.

The Argentina international has spent the last two years at Russian club Zenit after transferring from Roma in a deal worth €23m (£20.5m).

Chelsea are now attempting to prise the 24-year-old back to one of Europe's top leagues and have a four-and-a-half-year deal worth £80,000-a-week waiting for him.

Only Hordur Magnusson (7.8) averages more long balls per game in the Russian Premier League than Paredes (7.6) of all outfielders this season.