Chelsea are ready to make an improved offer for AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

The London Evening Standard says Chelsea are expected to increase their offer for Pirlo to £12million after their initial player-plus cash bid was rejected by AC Milan.

The 30-year-old can dictate play from deep, which has attracted Carlo Ancelotti as the manager appears unconvinced Jon Obi Mikel can perform that role in big matches.

Chelsea are thought to have offered £8.6m plus forward Claudio Pizzaro but Milan general manager Adriano Galliani said: "I returned to the sender, because we are not interested."