West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna has been linked with a move back to Italy which would pave the way for a move for Gary Cahill.
Ogbonna has lost his place in the West Ham team this season under Manuel Pellegrini.
New star youngster Issa Diop has forged a good understanding with fellow summer arrival Fabian Balbuena.
New duo keeping Ogbonna out of West Ham team
That has limited Italian international Ogbonna to just seven appearances so far, mainly in the league cup and as a late substitute.
According to reports from Calciomercato.com the out of favour 30-year-old is a January target for both Roma and AC Milan.
Calciomercato claim Ogbonna, who has a contract with the Hammers until 2022, would be available for around £3.5m.
But West Ham are said to also be open to allowing the defender to leave on loan with the option to buy.
Speculation explains Cahill links
Thee reports go some way to explaining West Ham’s recent links to Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.
According to The Sun West Ham are leading a host of Premier League clubs in the running to sign Cahill in January.
Two years Ogbonna’s senior Cahill is no spring chicken.
But he would need no time to adapt, keeps himself in great shape and has title-winning experience.
If West Ham can recoup some money for Ogbonna and get Cahill in on loan for the rest of the season it could make sense.
A good servant but a deal to suit all parties?
Ogbonna has been a good servant for West Ham but has looked increasingly rusty when given a chance.
Pellegrini would not be able to go the rest of the season relying on Diop and Balbuena.
He does have Declan Rice of course.
But the youngster is performing so well in central midfield it would be robbing Peter to pay Paul to have to drop him back into central defence.
Cahill has made six appearances for Chelsea this season after falling down the pecking order under Mauricio Sarri.
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