Chelsea have reportedly increased their offer for Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Leandro Paredes.
The Blues are attempting to bring the Argentinian international to Stamford Bridge to replace Cesc Fabregas but saw the Russian club reject their initial £26.8-million offer, according to the Evening Standard's Simon Johnson.
Maurizio Sarri's side has upped that bid to £31.2 million, but it's thought Zenit value the 24-year-old at around £36 million.
Chelsea are willing to offer the former Roma midfielder around £80,000 per week to entice him to west London.
Sarri will know Paredes well as the midfielder's three years in Rome coincided with his own reign at Napoli.
