Napoli are chasing Torino centre-back Nikola Maksimovic along with a mystery English side, which is thought to be Chelsea as the Blues seek defensive reinforcements, according Football Italia.
The Serbian international has abandoned training with the Turin-based club in an attempt to push through a move to Serie A giants Napoli.
#Torino : #Napoli and #CFC want Nikola Maksimovic, we won't rule out him staying https://t.co/b7swAxafUS pic.twitter.com/ox77wJVTKL
Napoli are expected to offer €25m with bonuses to Torino to acquire the centre-back's services within the coming days.
Torino are, however, set to hold out for more money, as the mystery English club looks set to take a swoop for the defender from under the noses of Napoli.
Torino's director of sport Gianluca Petrachi claimed in a recent interview with Mediaset Premium, via "?Football Italia that Torino wish to keep their most prized asset.
He claimed: "Sinisa Mihajlovic (Torino manager) wanted to try and keep hold of Maksimovic."?
"Maksimovic wanted to be sold, but with Miha's arrival, the situation changed. We had promised the Coach not to sell him and in turn promised the player a raise.''
"We've been talking to Napoli about Maksimovic since January, so there's been too much talk and not enough action.''
The director was then quizzed over whether the English club was indeed Conte's Chelsea to which he gave very little away, claiming: "It is an English club and the Premier League does have greater financial resources than other Leagues."?
"The transfer market isn't closed yet. It's not just Napoli who want Maksimovic, but also a big club from abroad.''
Conte is reportedly looking for defensive reinforcements and had recently been linked with the Juventus pair of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, in addition to Napoli's Koulibaly, but they may now turn their attentions to Maksimovic to aid their defensive options.
The 24-year-old featured 16 times in the league for Torino last season, with a total of 75 outings in all competitions for Torino after signing in the summer of 2013.