Chelsea have submitted an improved £31.2m bid for Zenit midfielder Leandro Paredes, claims the London Evening Standard.
Maurizio Sarri’s side have identified Paredes as their top transfer target to replace Cesc Fabregas, who joined Monaco on Friday.
Zenit rejected Chelsea’s opening offer of £26.8m on Monday and the Russian Premier League giants are reportedly holding out for as much as £36m.
Chelsea have reportedly agreed personal terms with Paredes, which will see the 24-year-old pocket £80,000-a-week over a four-and-a-half-year deal.
However, Chelsea still have to agree a fee with Zenit and may have to match their valuation of Paredes.
Only Hordur Magnusson (7.8) averages more long balls per game in the Russian Premier League than Paredes (7.6) of all outfielders this season.
