Chelsea are closing in on AS Roma defender Philippe Mexes.
The Daily Mail says the France defender, 28, is free to talk to foreign clubs from January 1 because his deal runs out next summer and a new one has yet to be agreed.
Mexes has captained France recently and is one of the candidates to keep the armband permanently under Laurent Blanc.
Having started just 17 games under Claudio Ranieri last season, the defender was the subject of several bids from leading Serie A clubs over the summer, including AC Milan.
