Chelsea have made a new approach to AC Milan for star pair Andrea Pirlo and Alexandre Pato. Young striker Pato and experienced midfield schemer Pirlo are both top targets for new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Gazzetta dello Sport says a representative of Roman Abramovich, the Blues owner, was in Milan yesterday to ask about the situation of both Pato and Pirlo.

The new approach comes after news this week that Milan patron Silvio Berlusconi has told vice-president Adriano Galliani to encourage Chelsea to bid again for Pirlo.