Chelsea Remain ‘Way Off’ In Valuation Of Danny Drinkwater As Leicester Prepare For ‘Disruptive’ Final 24 Hours

Leicester City and Chelsea are still “a long way apart” in their valuation of Danny Drinkwater, who has handed in a transfer request.

The England midfielder is understood to want to move to Stamford Bridge but the West London club have failed to meet Leicester’s valuation so far, with a fee of £25m having been discussed.

The Foxes do not want to sell their prized asset and FootTheBall understands it will take an exceptional offer in excess of £30m to prise him away from the King Power Stadium before Thursday’s deadline day.

Antonio Conte is desperate to defend the Premier League title and has stepped up his pursuit of Oxlade-Chamberlain in the recent weeks in order to bolster his squad.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been guaranteed by the club’s board that he will have at least two more new players before the summer transfer window closes.

Earlier, the Blues had seen their £15m bid for the England star turned down by the Leicester bosses, but Conte have been desperate to rope in the 27-year-old to replace Nemanja Matic, who was sold to league rivals Manchester United.

And sources close to the West London club have revealed that the Blues are holding talks with the Foxes to wrap a deal for Drinkwater – but the 2015/16 Premier League champions are not willing to sell unless their Conte’s side match their valuation.

Drinkwater is aware that he will have to compete with Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko for a place in the middle of the park, but Conte has assured the England man of ample game-time with Chelsea fighting on all fronts this time around – Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and most importantly the Champions League.