AS Roma defender Medhi Benatia (17) heads the ball away from Real Madrid midfielder Alvaro Medran during the game at Cotton Bowl Stadium.
AS Roma defender Medhi Benatia (17) heads the ball away from Real Madrid midfielder Alvaro Medran during the game at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Chelsea are reported to be working on a player-plus-cash swoop, which will involve AS Roma's Mehdi Benatia and Kurt Zouma for the Blues.

Caught Offside claims that the west London outfit are looking at the Moroccan international as a replacement for now-Paris Saint-Germain player David Luiz, with the 19-year-old Zouma perceived to still be lacking the maturity needed to take on regular first-team duties.

The 27-year-old, who moved to the Stadio Olimpico last summer, helped the Wolves to their highest finish in the Serie A since the 2009/10 term at second place, booking a spot in the Champions League after a three year absence.

He formed a solid partnership with Leandro Castan at the heart of the defence, allowing only 22 goals to be scored against his side in the 33 top-flight matches that he had suited-up.

Much as he was a journeyman during the earlier years of his career, Benatia finally put a stamp on questions about his quality at Roma, which made his suggested market value rise to an all-time high of £25million.

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