Chelsea have intensified their £25 million bid for Inter Milan fullback Douglas Maicon. The Sun says the Blues have missed out on long-term target Glen Johnson, with Liverpool confirming an £18.5m deal yesterday.

But Inter Milan right-back Maicon has impressed in the Confederations Cup in South Africa and kept Barcelona ace Dani Alves out of Brazil's starting line-up.

Inter will accept £25m for the 27-year-old defender and are even willing to part with idol Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 27, for another £50m.