Fiorentina reportedly want to take Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan if a bid for Mohamed Salah fails.
The 19-year-old midfielder broke into the Blues side at the end of last season before appearing for the England Under-21s at the European Championships this summer.
Fiorentina have claimed that Salah has to join them on loan again next season after they activated a clause in his contract last month.
The Egyptian spent the second half of last season with the Italian side as part of the deal that took Juan Cuadrado to Stamford Bridge.
Fiorentina have accused Serie A rivals Inter Milan of breaking transfer rules by trying to sign Salah, who reportedly refused to return to the Viola for a second loan spell.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fiorentina will drop the threat of legal action if they can borrow another Chelsea player, with Loftus-Cheek top of their list.
Loftus-Cheek has made four appearances for Chelsea.
Steven Toplis
