Chelsea have made contact with Roma over the availability of Argentinean defender Walter Samuel, according to the Italian club's sporting director.
Roma's Franco Baldini revealed that while Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abromovich is yet to make a bid for the player, there has been official contact between the two clubs regarding his availability.
Baldini said: "I can confirm that Chelsea are interested in Walter Samuel. We have been in contact with the English club and they have requested information on the player, but they have made no official offer yet."
Roma are second in Serie A but are in dire financial straits and will have to drastically reduce their wage bill as well and bring in some cash from player sales this summer.
Chelsea will seek to strengthen at the back this summer, given the declining form of veteran French centre-back Marcel Desailly. However it remains to be seen exactly how serious Chelsea's interest in Samuel is, or whether Roma are merely seeking to stir up interest.
Roma's Brazilian midfielder Emerson is also likely to be available this summer and has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premiership, with Old Trafford seemingly the most likely destination for him.
Filed by Rob Wright
