Chelsea are ‘monitoring Torino defender Alessandro Buongiorno’ as Mauricio Pochettino eyes further reinforcements in January with the Blues ‘continuing to scout the centre-back’ over the festive period

Chelsea are tracking a highly-rated Italian defender as they continue to monitor further potential recruitment in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Torino and Italy centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno could be on his way to Stamford Bridge in the upcoming window with Chelsea scouting possible reinforcements.

Buongiorno has starred for Torino in the Serie A this season and caught the eye of a host of European sides with his performances. Chelsea are understood to be one of the interested parties.

Scouts from Mauricio Pochettino‘s recruitment department have been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old and will continue to do so over the busy Christmas period, as reported by The Sun.

Other Serie A sides also hold interest in the Italy international, with Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma all credible suitors. 

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to dip into the January transfer market for further reinforcements

Roma manager and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has previously publicly stated his admiration for Buongiorno after drawing with Torino in September.

The defender has flourished so far this season, making 14 appearances in all competitions for Torino and scoring two goals in the process.

The top-flight Italian side want to hold out for a fee of £35million after previously rejecting a £21.5m bid from another Serie A side.

Buongiorno has impressed at Torino this season and made vital contributions to the Serie A side

Roma manager Jose Mourinho is also an admirer of the talented 24-year-old defender

Buongiorno’s current contract runs until 2028, meaning the club are in a strong negotiating position to demand a higher fee for the player.

The talented centre-back previously revealed his admiration for Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini when he broke through into the senior team at Torino.