Chelsea FC Transfer News: Player-Plus-Cash Swoop Brewing for AS Roma's Mehdi Benatia

Chelsea are reported to be working on a player-plus-cash swoop, which will involve AS Roma's Mehdi Benatia and Kurt Zouma for the Blues.

Caught Offside claims that the west London outfit are looking at the Moroccan international as a replacement for now-Paris Saint-Germain player David Luiz, with the 19-year-old Zouma perceived to still be lacking the maturity needed to take on regular first-team duties.

The 27-year-old, who moved to the Stadio Olimpico last summer, helped the Wolves to their highest finish in the Serie A since the 2009/10 term at second place, booking a spot in the Champions League after a three year absence.

He formed a solid partnership with Leandro Castan at the heart of the defence, allowing only 22 goals to be scored against his side in the 33 top-flight matches that he had suited-up.

Much as he was a journeyman during the earlier years of his career, Benatia finally put a stamp on questions about his quality at Roma, which made his suggested market value rise to an all-time high of £25million.

For more football news, follow IBTimes Sport on Twitter.