Zappacosta close to Roma loan move

Davide Zappacosta is close to joining Roma on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Zappacosta, 27, has long been expected to return to his native Italy this summer, having been restricted to just 13 league starts since being signed from Torino two years ago.

Blues boss Frank Lampard is keen to involve Reece James when the young full-back is available following an ankle problem.

That leaves Zappacosta facing the prospect of falling further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and he is keen to move on.

Lampard has indicated that Zappacosta and Tiemoue Bakayoko will be allowed to leave before the European transfer window closes on 2 September but that Michy Batshuayi will stay.

Galatasary and his former club Monaco have made approaches for Bakayoko, who has failed to impress since his arrival at the Bridge.

Batshuayi, meanwhile, scored twice for Chelsea’s development side on Monday evening and Antonio Rudiger returned to action after a knee injury.