Cristian Ledesma

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Chelsea Turn To Lazio's Cristian Ledesma As Andrea Pirlo Alternative -The Blues already have a replacement target lined-up, but face competition for the Argentine's signature

After Chelsea were rebuffed by Milan in their efforts to sign Andrea Pirlo, Carlo Ancelotti is continuing to look towards Serie A for a deep lying midfielder.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, the former Milan coach has turned his sights towards Lazio want-away Cristian Ledesma. The 26-year-old has been left out of the Biancocelesti's Supercoppa Italiana squad and is eager to move on from the club.

While Claudio Lotito will not prevent his departure, the Lazio president will insist that any club interested in the Argentine's services will have to meet his valuation of the player, reported to be in the region of €15 million.

So far, it is the price-tag that has dissuaded interested parties from making a concrete bid, with Milan, Fiorentina and Palermo all dithering over an offer.

For Chelsea, the most serious competition for Ledesma's signature will come from Fiorentina. The Viola lost Felipe Melo to Juventus earlier this summer and have since been searching for a defensive midfielder to replace him. While Milan and Palermo are also keeping an eye on the situation, their interest would only have been piqued if they had sold Andrea Pirlo or Fabio Liverani respectively

Edited August 7, 2009 by Elliott