Chelsea hope to close a deal for AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

The Daily Express says the Blues offered £8m plus unwanted striker Claudio Pizarro but, ideally, Milan want a straight cash deal that can fund a bid for Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano.

Milan are likely to demand £12m for Pirlo, but could be tempted to take £10m and Peruvian Pizarro if they can then immediately offload him on loan to Sevilla in a deal to take Fabiano to the San Siro.

Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident he can make Pirlo the first of a couple of signings.