Chelsea 'increase offer for Leandro Paredes to £31.2m'

Chelsea have increased their offer for Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Leandro Paredes to £31.2m, according to a report.

The Blues are believed to have already had an opening bid of £26.8m knocked back for the 24-year-old, who is seen as the ideal replacement for Cesc Fabregas.

Zenit are holding out for a sum in the region of £36m, but the London Evening Standard suggests that Chelsea have tested the Russian club's resolve with an offer slightly below that mark.

Chelsea are said to be prepared to offer the Argentina international a four-and-a-half-year contract worth £80,000 a week, though it remains to be seen whether Zenit will accept the bid.

Paredes appeared to confirm on social media at the weekend that a move to Stamford Bridge is imminent.