Chelsea transfer news: Juventus step up Nemanja Matic interest while Atletico Madrid continue to chase Diego Costa

All the latest transfer stories from Stamford Bridge on Monday 25 July

Matic has reportedly emerged as Juventus' top target (Getty)

Juventus have allegedly stepped up their interests for Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic. According to the Daily Mail, the Serie A side have identified Matic as the ideal replacement to Manchester United target Paul Pogba.

The 27-year-old apparently tops Massimiliano Allegri’s transfer wish-list which also includes Newcastle star Moussa Sissoko. But despite bringing in Leicester’s N’Golo Kante, Antonio Conte is not keen to sell the Serbian international as he looks to bolster his midfield options.

And rather worryingly for Chelsea fans, it seems Atletico Madrid are still continuing to chase down Blues forward Diego Costa.

The west London club threatened to report the Spanish side to FIFA on account of their transfer enquiries but Atletico appear to have ignored Chelsea’s warnings, according to the Mirror. The paper claims that Costa remains their first choice option upfront as they look to solve their striking problem.

Elsewhere, reports from the Daily Express have linked the Blues to Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij. Conte is allegedly keen to bring in reinforcements to the right back position after Branislav Ivanovic dislocated his shoulder in Chelsea’s pre-season win against RZ Pellets last week.

The Dutchman has been valued at around £10 but could represent a risky move on account of his injury history. The defender missed a considerable amount of last season following a knee operation he underwent.

Lastly, in a bizarre twist to the Riyad Mahrez saga, sportswear giants Adidas were caught out by a particularly eagle-eyed Chelsea fan who spotted that the brand was selling No.7 Chelsea Mahrez shirts on its official website.

The fan said he found the strip on Adidas’ online UK store, but it was quickly removed. Could Chelsea be poised to hijack Arsenal’s deal for the Algeria international?

After all, this isn’t the first time the brand has let big transfer news slip after Henrikh Mkhitaryan Manchester United shirts went on sale a week before his move to Old Trafford. Concerning times for Leicester and Arsenal fans alike.