CHELSEA have stepped up their chase of Torino star Andrea Belotti.
Reports in Italy claim that the Blues have sent director Michael Emenalo to Italy to thrash out a deal for the striker.
Belotti – who has a £86million release clause – had been linked with a move to Premier League club Arsenal.
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But it now seems Antonio Conte’s Blues are the front runners to land the Italian international.
And SunSport understands a deal for Betolli is more likely than the Blues making a move for Moussa Dembele.
The Celtic star is in London but the Scottish club insist it is just for a scan.
Belotti has 14 goals in 19 Serie A games for Torino this season and has gained the attention of many clubs around the world.
But the fomer Palermo man signed a new deal with Torino in December which would keep him at the club until 2021.
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Dutch legend Marco van Basten recently compared Belotti to Christian Vieri.
Torino's sporting director confirmed last month there was interest in Betolli and a bid from Arsenal had been rejected.
Gianluca Petrachi told Sky Sport Italia."Yes, we received the offer, but it does not reflect the value of the player.
"Anyway, he is going nowhere for now. We want to enjoy him, then we’ll see what happens.
"We intend to keep Belotti and President Urbano Cairo signed this important buy-out clause.
"I think he’s worth more than they have offered."
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