According to reports in The Sun, Chelsea have submitted a £55m bid for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Blues boss Antonio Conte is keen to bring in a new central midfielder this summer and knows Verratti well having managed him when he was in charge of the Italian national team.

Conte believes the 24-year-old can bring some quality and playmaking to his side as they look to make a successful return to the Champions League next term, and is already said to have offered £55m for his services.

However, the Italian could choose reject a move to England and extend his stay in the French capital instead in what has been a disappointing campaign for PSG, where they lost out to Monaco for the Ligue 1 title and suffered a humiliating comeback defeat against Barcelona in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Do PSG want to keep him?

The story suggests that the club would be willing to cash in on him this summer despite the fact that he only signed a new five-year deal in August, but he is concerned at the amount of playing time he would get at Stamford Bridge.

Would he be right to be worried?

Probably not, no.

While N’Golo Kante will be a regular in the side following another outstanding season, the spot alongside him could well be up for grabs.

Nemanja Matic has done well there but if Conte could get an upgrade, he would.

Additionally, the Blues will have far more games next term than they had this now they are back in the group stages of the Champions League, which means that even the likes of Kante will needed to be rested for certain matches throughout the campaign.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, having also been linked with Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco there seems to be little doubt that Conte is keen to bring in a new central midfielder, and there are few better options in the world than Verratti to do that if the Blues want to make a statement.

While the Italian doesn’t appear to be keen to make the move, he could surely be tempted if he knew he was to be guaranteed a lot of playing time.