Chelsea have made an offer for Villarreal defender Martin Caceres.

Real Madrid made an enquiry for him, but Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is now reported to have stepped in with a £7 million bid - though that was apparently rejected.

Caceres' buy-out clause stands at £15 million which neither Chelsea or Real are likely to go to - but the English side have not given up.

It is claimed Villarreal's sporting director Jose Manuel Llaneza flew to London earlier this month for talks with Abramovich, when the initial bid was lodged.

Villarreal have now left the ball firmly in Chelsea's court and although they are willing to talk, they are more than happy with their valuation of the player.