AC Milan ready to fight Chelsea for defender

AC Milan have stepped up their interest in Chelsea target Vlad Chiriches, reports Tuttosport.

Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri is keen to bolster his defence after cashing in on Brazil star Thiago Silva earlier this year, and is believed to have identified Chiriches, the Steaua Bucharest defender, as the man to do the job.

Chiriches, who is a regular for the Romanian national team, only joined Steaua in January of this year but his reputation has soared since then - he was linked with Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

Lyon are also thought to have tracked the 22-year-old, but Milan appeared to have nose ahead of the French side in the race for his signature, which means Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo will have to act fast to snap him up.