Chelsea to Beat Liverpool in the Transfer Race for Italian Star as Player Refuses Contract Extension

Chelsea are reported to be interested in Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, according to reports.

The 32-year old is in the last year of his contract with the Rome club. The Italian international has also attracted the attention of the likes of Everton, Inter Milan and Juventus.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta World believes that Marchetti will be available for the cut-down price as Lazio have accepted defeat in their attempts to get the goalkeeper sign a new deal.

Marchetti, most notably, featured in three games for the Italy national team in 2010 World Cup, in the absence of the first choice Gianluigi Buffon. He signed for Lazio in 2011 and since then he has made 115 league appearances for the club. He won the Coppa Italia with the club in 2013, after defeating local rivals AS Roma in the historic final.