Chelsea are ready to use Didier Drogba as bait to land AC Milan superkid Alexandre Pato.

The Daily Star says that is the surprising new twist as the Blues boss, former San Siro coach Carlo Ancelotti, bids to remodel the team.

Ancelotti and owner Roman Abramovich have been keen to land the 19-year-old Brazilian whizzkid throughout the summer.

But Milan have been reluctant to sell the £45m-rated youngster after a season in which he scored 15 Serie A goals.

The prospect of landing Drogba, who had an impressive season with Chelsea under Guus Hiddink, may persuade the Italian giants to let Pato leave, especially if Chelsea stump up around £30m as well as the Ivory Coast skipper.