Manchester City have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race for Inter Milan wing-back Federico Dimarco.
The ultra-attacking left-sided Italy international has been a regular in the Inter side which currently tops the Serie A table.
After just six league games, Dimarco already has a goal and three assists, and that solitary strike was an eye-catching volley which saw the Nerazzurri beat Empoli 1-0.
Dimarco's attacking output has been attracting attention ever since he broke into the Inter side two years ago.
In Inter's run to the Champions League final last season, Dimarco registered five assists on the continent - the most ever recorded by a defender in one European campaign since records began.
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After keeping out Robin Gosens - one of Serie A's most prolific wing-backs - Dimarco is now also continuing to keep new signing Carlos Augusto on the bench.
Manager Simone Inzaghi has only opted for Augusto once ahead of Dimarco this season, and that was against Real Sociedad in the Champions League - a game in which Inter struggled for large periods, coming away with a 1-1 draw despite having much fewer shots and a far lower xG.
Despite a very obvious error which led to a goal for Ukraine in the last international break, Dimarco is the undisputed number one choice at left-back, having featured regularly for Roberto Mancini, and now in both of Luciano Spalletti's first two games in charge, keeping the likes of Leonardo Spinazzola and Cristiano Biraghi out of the side.
Therefore, Calciomercato claims that both Chelsea and Man City are eyeing-up the player for a potential move next summer.
Pep Guardiola and City had a close up view of Dimarco in last season's Champions League final, and his very offensive instincts were on show as he hit the bar just moments after Rodri's opener.
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Chelsea are also said to be on the hunt for a left-sided defender, given the regular injury issues of Ben Chilwell and the form of Marc Cucurella.
With a contract only running until 2026 and a salary reported to be just £25,000 per week, the English clubs believe that they could tempt Dimarco with a healthy payrise.
While Inter would be prepared to offer the 25-year-old a two-year extension on his current deal and a wage of £50,000 per week, it is claimed that the English sides are willing to quadruple his salary.
However, Dimarco is a boyhood Interisti, having supported the club and regularly attended matches as a child, so forcing a change of heart may be something of a challenge.
English fans may get a close-up view of Dimarco when Italy travel to Wembley to face England in October's international break.
Before then, the wideman is set to line up for Inter in their league clash with Salernitana at the weekend, before facing Benfica in Europe - a repeat of last season's Champions League quarter-final.
Andrew Delaney
