Chelsea have edged into pole position in the race for Zenit St Petersburg's Axel Witsel.

According to The Sun, the Blues are now ahead of the likes of Everton and Juventus for the Belgian midfielder who is being valued at £28million.

Inter Milan and Napoli are also showing significant interest in the 27-year-old.

It was recently believed that the Toffees were set to close a deal for Witsel, who earns £80,000 per week at Zenit, but new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has made his presence felt and a summer shift to Stamford Bridge now appears likely.

Witsel's proposed move to West London could see Nemanja Matic leave for Manchester United where he is wanted by former manager Jose Mourinho.