PSG launch bid to hijack Chelsea's move for Leandro Paredes

Chelsea risk missing out on target Leandro Paredes as Paris Saint-Germain have made a move for the Zenit midfielder, claims Gianluca Di Marzio.

Maurizio Sarri has made it clear he wants a replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who was allowed to join Monaco and Paredes has emerged as the Blues’ top target.

Chelsea have lodged a bid of around £27 million with Zenit for the midfielder but the Russian club have held out for closer to £40m.

It comes despite the 24-year-old recently retweeting a video appearing to introduce him at Stamford Bridge.

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Zenit paid £24m for him 18 months ago, and Paredes’ impressive performances have prompted the Russian club to try make a significant profit the Argentine.

Sarri’s side are mulling their options but now risk missing out on the Argentina international altogether, as PSG have launched their own €35m (£31m) bid.

The Ligue 1 giants are in the market for a new midfielder as they seem destined to lose Adrien Rabiot at the end of the season, and they see Paredes as the man to fill that gap.

Chelsea have been linked with the hugely promising Nicolo Barella, but the Cagliari midfielder has reservations over the gametime he would receive at Stamford Bridge.

That saw Paredes emerge as Chelsea’s no.1 target but today’s revelations has put them at risk of missing out on both.

Elsewhere the news is better, with reports in Italy claiming a deal is in place to sign striker Gonzalo Higuain on loan until the end of the season.

However, he won’t be available to face Arsenal on Saturday as the Blues missed Friday’s 12pm deadline to register Higuain.