Cesc Fabregas could leave Chelsea for free with Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan circling

say that Italian giants Inter and Milan have already been alerted to his contract situation and are considering making an effort to take him to Serie A.

And it appears AC Milan are the club who have moved at the head of the race for the Spaniard's signature - and could even attempt to get a deal over the line during the mid-season transfer window.

It is claimed Inter tried hard to sign Fabregas last summer as manager Luciano Spalletti desperately sought a top class central midfielder.

For long periods they had Real Madrid's Luka Modric as their number one target in the belief they could take advantage of his contract stalemate at the Bernabeu to tempt him to Italy.

When that route failed they then contacted Chelsea in an attempt to sign Fabregas, but were met with a firm rejection with the club unwilling to do business.

At the time the former Barcelona and Arsenal star remained committed to the Blues, believing he could play a key role under new boss Maurizio Sarri.

But an injury at the end of pre-season has dogged him ever since, and left him down the pecking order for a place in Sarri's starting midfield.

His only appearance so far this campaign has been in the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City, with Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante the clear preferred three.

Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are also in the mix for a midfield place, leaving Fabregas' chances limited.

That has been noticed by AC Milan, who themselves have been trying to bring in another player in the centre of the pitch this season.

The Italians have already taken Tiemoue Bakayoko on loan from Chelsea, but the interest is there in clinching a Fabregas deal too.

That raises the prospect of a January enquiry, either for a cut-price mid-season transfer or to agree a free transfers move next summer.