Blues want Stadio Olimpico playmaker at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are ready to challenge Tottenham for the signature of Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanic, according to Italian website Tuttosport.
The Blues reportedly regard the Bosnia and Herzegovina international as a possible replacement for ageing club legend Frank Lampard, 34, who is facing an uncertain future at the club.
Pjanic has been widely linked with Tottenham, who saw an enquiry for the 22-year-old rebuffed by Roma in the summer.
The midfielder was thought to be unhappy at playing a bit-part role at the Stadio Olimpico but Pjanic has recently enjoyed a run in the Serie A side’s first-team and has stressed he is happy at the club.
Lampard is in the last year of his contract in West London and is looking increasingly likely to leave Stamford Bridge in January or next summer.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic is refusing to offer any players over 30 more than one-year contract extensions at the club and Lampard’s England teammate Ashley Cole could also leave the European Champions.
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