Chelsea defender target on San Siro radar

Chelsea target Igor Lichnovsky has emerged as a January transfer target for Inter Milan reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 17-year-old defender looks to be on his way out of Universidad de Chile just several months after making his first-team debut for the South American outfit.

Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas has been credited with an interest in Lichnovsky's signature, a player that is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in Chile.

However, any potential move to Stamford Bridge now looks to be in doubt after the Nerazzuri made clear their intentions to bid for Lichnovsky.

Villas-Boas has been tasked by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to freshen up an ageing squad, and the Portuguese tactician is determined to bring the most exciting talent from across the globe to west London.

Lichnovsky has represented Chile at U17 level and also featured at the South American Championships earlier this season - where he further enhanced his reputation as a star of the future.