Serie A side Atalanta have begun talks with Chelsea over a loan move for their former player Davide Zappacosta.
The right-back joined Chelsea in 2017 from Torino, but his time in West London has been plagued by injury, and he has not played for them for well over a year.
He spent last season on loan at Roma, but injury again restricted his playing time with them, and he made just 9 Serie A appearances in all.
He is now well down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea would prefer a permanent deal for somebody they paid €28 million (£25 million) for plus bonuses.
However, with few willing buyers, they may have to settle for a loan move instead and getting his wages off their books.
Atalanta were linked with a move for Roma defender Rick Harsdorp, but that has now fallen through over the demands of the player’s agent for commissions.
