Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel looks set to reject Antonio Conte's plea for him to join Chelsea, according to reports in theSun.
The Zenit St Petersburg star will become a free agent next summer, after refusing to sign a contract extension with the Russian club. Witsel has long been linked with a move to Juventus and some reports have already suggested that an agreement has been reached between the two parties.
Getting ready for our final @EuropaLeague game in 2016 💪⚽�� #AlkmaarZenit pic.twitter.com/c1uDmV8YUp
However, the Sun have suggested that Chelsea were hoping to hijack that agreement, after Antonio Conte made a last minute attempt to lure the Belgian to Stamford Bridge.
It is widely expected that Oscar will be leaving the Blues in the upcoming January transfer window and rumours suggest that the Premier League leaders will receive upwards of £52m from Chinese side Shanghai SIPG.
With Oscar set to depart, Conte is understood to be on the look out for an immediate replacement for the midfielder and the Italian reportedly made an audacious last ditch attempt to sign Witsel.
But having already agreed a deal with the current Serie A champions, the Belgian looks set to snub any potential offers from Chelsea and is prepared to honour his word with Juventus and join them in the coming months.
Chelsea are plotting a £75m bid for Real Madrid star James RodrÃguez as a replacement for China-bound Oscar. (Source: Sunday Mirror) pic.twitter.com/1sogOUGCy7
It is currently unclear whether Witsel will join the Old Lady next summer when his contract expires, or if the Italian's can agree a cut-price deal with Zenit to steal the midfielder away in January.
Either way, it's unlikely that Chelsea can get the 27-year-old to change his mind and they will now have to look elsewhere, as they look to strengthen their squad so as to ensure that they maintain their healthy lead at the top of the league.