LONDON - Alvaro Morata remains Chelsea’s number one target in their search for a new centre forward despite emerging competition from AC Milan.
The two clubs would both rather sign Morata from Real Madrid than alternatives which include Andrea Belotti of Torino and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund.
Milan have talks planned with Borussia on Tuesday about Aubameyang, valued at £60million, but would prefer Morata, who would cost more.
The ambitious Italians are in a prolific mood in the transfer market and Juventus stalwart Leonardo Bonucci became the latest in a slew of summer signings at the end of last week.
Chelsea are also casting for other options and are understood to have made an enquiry earlier this month about the prospect of signing Sergio Aguero from Manchester City.
However, they were told Aguero was not for sale and that the Argentine is not expected to move.
Chelsea, who depart for their tour of Asia on Tuesday, have already missed out on Romelu Lukaku, who joined Manchester United from Everton.
New £40m midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko will not be in Antonio Conte’s squad travelling to China and Singapore, where Chelsea will play friendlies with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
Bakayoko, who underwent keyhole knee surgery at the end of last season, is set to stay in London and work on his recovery and fitness. Eden Hazard, who broke an ankle on international duty, will do the same.