Chelsea are ready to bid for Inter Milan fullback Douglas Maicon.

The Daily Star says Chelsea are preparing a £22m summer raid for Brazilian defender Maicon.

Blues manager-in-waiting Carlo Ancelotti wants to bring the Inter Milan right-back, 27, to Stamford Bridge.

AC Milan coach Ancelotti is a longtime fan of Maicon, who has just helped Inter lift their fourth consecutive Serie A title.

And the Italian boss is understood to have handed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich a transfer wish list headed by the South American.

Maicon tried to join Manchester United from Brazilian side Cruzeiro in 2004, but was refused a work permit and moved to Monaco instead.