Chelsea transfer target Antonio Rudiger has refused to rule out a move to Stamford Bridge.
Coach Antonio Conte wants to sign a centre-half in January even though the club go into the derby at home to Tottenham tomorrow having won six straight games without conceding a goal.
Chelsea were in advanced talks with Roma in the summer over a £19.5million deal but they ended when the German international injured knee ligaments.
The 23-year-old, who significantly plays in a back-three formation that Conte uses, is back to full fitness. Roma are unbeaten in five of the six matches he has played in since returning to the first team and have increased their asking price to in excess of £30m.
Chelsea, who are unlikely to offer new contracts to John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic when they expire in the summer, are willing to pay it.
After helping Roma beat Victoria Plzen in the Europa League, Rudiger was directly asked if he could reassure Roma fans that he was not joining Chelsea and merely replied: “Next question.”
Chelsea's frustrating search for defensive reinforcements
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Another target, Italy centre-half Alessio Romagnoli, is now less of an option for Chelsea with AC Milan planning to open talks over a new contract in January. Milan rejected two bids from Chelsea in August.