Napoli Try To Steal March On Chelsea In Battle to Land £30m Italian Starlet

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has opened talks with Brescia owner Massimo Cellino over signing teenage prodigy Sandro Tonali, according to reports in Italy.

It is believed that Chelsea, Inter Milan, Roma and Juventus are also keen on signing the 18-year-old but it seems the Partenopei have made the first move.

Tonali is reportedly valued at €35m (£30m) by Brescia even though the defensive midfielder has only played 29 matches of senior football.

Despite his lack of experience, he has started this season in a rich vein of form. The Italian Under 19 international has made ten starts in Serie B this campaign, providing three assists.

Blues manager Maurizio Sarri is no doubt keen on Tonali due to his similarities to Jorginho. The teenager plays as the “regista”; the same role the former Napoli midfielder plays at Chelsea.

With Cesc Fabregas not having signed a new deal at Stamford Bridge, the London club may be looking for a potential replacement at the end of the season.

If they want Tonali, however, it seems the Blues will have a fight on their hands with a host of Italian sides keen on the midfielder.