Inter have had a bid rejected for Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, claims The Guardian.
Antonio Conte wants to raid former club Chelsea for Kante to beef up his midfield options for the new season.
Kante struggled for form and fitness under Frank Lampard last season but Chelsea are unlikely to sanction his departure.
Inter's opening offer for the France international reportedly also included Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
The 27-year-old has been a key player for Inter in recent years, even in Conte's first season in charge, but the Serie A outfit are willing to sacrifice him in order to land Kante.
However, Chelsea are in no rush to sell Kante and have also made it clear they do not want Inter outcast Christian Eriksen.
The 28-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements by Conte just nine months after he joined Inter from Tottenham.
📉 N'Golo Kante - Premier League rating by season at Chelsea
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 8, 2020
2016/17: 7.23 (under Conte)
2017/18: 7.25 (under Conte)
2018/19: 6.93 (under Sarri)
2019/20: 6.90 (under Lampard)
🤔 With Conte keen on a reunion at Inter, is it time #CFC cashed in on Kante?https://t.co/mYxiIdviJw
Even if Chelsea were considering Kante's departure, Eriksen is the last player they would want from Inter.
There is no room in the squad for a player of Eriksen's profile following Kai Havertz's mega money move, coupled with Mason Mount coming through.
Kante's WhoScored rating in the Premier League was above 7.00 in each of his seasons under Conte but has dipped below that mark under Maurizio Sarri and now Lampard since then.
