Chelsea are one of the clubs leading the race for River Plate defender Emanuel Mammana's signature, but they will have to pay £8m.
The 20-year-old has confirmed that he will leave Argentina this summer for Europe and Chelsea are one of the favourites to land him, facing stiff competition from Inter Milan and Fiorentina.
According to "?Goal, the player's representative Hernan Reguera has been in London for talks with Chelsea but a deal is far from being struck, although the Premier League club understand that the player could be theirs for £8m.
Chelsea Told To Pay £8m For Emanuel Mammana https://t.co/rWJUVcxjwr pic.twitter.com/y8cf4KztNC
Mammana's contract expires in June 2019 and he has a £11m release clause but the Argentine side will accept less, according to Goal's report.
Chelsea have held talks but the player is due to speak to Fiorentina and Inter before making a decision on his future.
Inter vice president Javier Zanetti previously confirmed the club's interest and revealed the Nerazzurri are also interested in signing River's striker Lucas Alario.
"We will insist on Mammana, for the moment, we are not negotiating for Alario" he told ESPN.
While Inter, Chelsea and Fiorentina are thought to be leading the race for the defender, Real Betis are also said to be weighing up a bid for him, while Arsenal and Napoli have been linked in the past.
Mammana is a centre-half of the modern ilk, adept with the ball at his feet and bringing out of defence to trigger attacks. His versatility allows him to be used effectively as a full-back as well. He earned his first cap for Argentina in 2014.