Danny Drinkwater submits transfer request to force through Chelsea move

Danny Drinkwater has handed in a transfer request to force a move through to Chelsea.

Standard Sport understands Drinkwater informed Leicester of his desire to switch to Stamford Bridge on Monday and the two clubs are still in talks over a deal.

Chelsea have made two offers for the England international so far, the first was worth £18m and then they increased it by another £7m.

Leicester have never quoted an asking price worth £40m as has been reported elsewhere, but do value the 27-year-old in excess of £30m.

It is believed Chelsea are on the verge of making a third bid, but with the deadline closing at 11pm tomorrow night, the transfer could go down to the wire.

However, it is understood that Leicester are currently looking at transfer targets who can replace Drinkwater, which has given Chelsea hope that the move will go ahead.

But Leicester will need to leave themselves enough time to complete a transfer of their own should Drinkwater be sold.

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte wants Drinkwater to strengthen his midfield options this term.

Conte admitted last week that it will be 'impossible' for him to cope with the fixture list next month, where they have seven games in three weeks, with his current squad.

Drinkwater, who won the Premier League with Leicester in 2016 is highly rated by Conte. The fact that he has a good understanding with N'Golo Kante, who joined Chelsea from the King Power Stadium last summer, is another factor.