Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is planning a big money bid for Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij.

The People says Chelsea's new Italian boss has been in the market for a centre-half since arriving at the club, but so far has had little success in recruiting a top-class stopper from his homeland.

De Vrij, who has earned rave reviews after arriving from Feyenoord two years ago, is a January target for Conte.

The Dutchman, 24, starred for Louis Van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup finals and has continued that form, leaving Conte as one of his main interested suitors.

Conte is in the driving seat for De Vrij – except middlemen have been informed it would take at least £50m to prise him out of the Stadio Olympico.