Chelsea transfer news: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte closes in on deal for free agent Martin Caceres

CHELSEA are closing in on a deal for free agent Martin Caceres.

The Blues are still looking to strengthen their backline and the Uruguayan defender has emerged as their top target, according to reports in Italy.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte shocked the many when he brought David Luiz back to Stamford Bridge in a £30million deadline day move.

Despite splashing the cash on the centre-half and adding Marcos Alonso to his squad too, the Italian coach still wants to bolster his defensive ranks and Caceres is a player he knows well.

The 29-year-old international played under Conte at Juventus and is available immediately after he left the Serie A giants in the summer.

One stumbling block could be the physical state of Caceres.

He endured a number of persistent injuries during his final years at Juve and was allowed to leave following five years of service at the end of last season.

Due to being a free agent, Caceres is able to join a club outside of the transfer window and if he can prove his fitness, he looks set to seal a switch to Chelsea according to Calciomercato.

They claim Conte has asked to see Caceres’, who lined up against England in the 2014 World Cup, medical records before making any decision.