Chelsea have moved in pole position in the race to sign Ross Barkley, reports in Italy have claimed.
The Englishman will leave Everton this summer with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal also rumoured to be interested.
The Toffees want at least £50million for the 23-year-old.
Last week, manager Ronald Koeman confirmed that the attacking midfielder refused to sign a new contract with Everton.
"We made a good offer of a contract. He declined," Koeman is quoted as saying by the BBC.
"Ross told me at the end of the season he wanted another challenge.
"His personal situation is really not so difficult. My priority is not Ross, with respect, it is his decision.
"I look more to other players. I knew this at the end of the season.
"Everyone knows what the situation is and that's enough, I don't talk any more about this."
