Chelsea boss Antonio Conte launches bid for Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha

CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte is ready to launch a bid for Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha, according to reports.

German website Bild claim that the Premier League champions are monitoring the defender, who has dropped down the pecking order at the Allianz.

However, Conte will face a fight with Carlo Ancelotti, who is unwilling to let the Brazilian leave.

And with the transfer window shutting tomorrow night, it must be considered unlikely that the Italian would try to rush through a move.

Bild say a replacement for Rafinha would not be available soon.

And they also claim the 31-year-old veteran needs to remain because of his experience.

This is even more pressing in the light of World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm’s retirement at the end of last season.

And chiefs consider Rafinha a worthwhile back-up to Joshua Kimmich.

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This all comes despite him saying earlier this summer: “I hope I will be even more active this season. I have the quality for that.

“I’m here to play a lot of games but it does not look like that at the moment.”

However, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has rejected a £40million move to Chelsea in favour of the chance to go to Liverpool.

That could leave the Blues exposed and looking to plug a gap at the back quickly.