Chelsea have “increased the pressure” on Atalanta to sell Rasmus Hojlund by making a €65m (£57.5m) “offer” for the striker in “recent weeks”, according to TMW.

The Italian website claims that the proposal has been “set aside” for the moment as the club and the player look to complete this season’s objectives.

Atalanta are five points off the top four with a game in hand, and the focus is on Champions League qualification before they decide on Hojlund’s future.

The Danish international has already been compared to Erling Haaland, and his performances since the New Year have been attracting interest from plenty of teams, including Premier League rivals Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle.

Chelsea have, though, attempted to steal a march on the competition. It has been reported that the Blues invited Atalanta president Antonio Percassi to the game between Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge last month, where Hojlund’s name came up. We shall see how this transfer story unfolds.