Chelsea make late attempt to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches on loan

Chelsea have made a late attempt to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches on loan.

The 19-year-old Portuguese starlet had appeared destined for a move to AC Milan but Chelsea have now made an inquiry, with The Telegraph reporting that Antonio Conte met with Carlo Ancelotti to discuss a move after the two clubs played a friendly match on Tuesday night.

Sanches made a name for himself at Benfica and with Portugal at Euro 2016, but has struggled since moving to Bayern in a deal totaling €80m.

He appeared just 17 times in the league last season, with Ancelotti happy for him to leave on loan for at least a season.

Bayern Munich's CEO later confirmed Chelsea's interest in the player.

“There are at least 10 teams after Sanches,” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Conte asked for some information about him after Tuesday’s match because he knows he can make the difference on the pitch.

“[Carlo] Ancelotti was pleased with his performance against Chelsea so we can make some reasoning on him later.”

Chelsea have already brought in Antonio Rüdiger, Tiemoué Bakayoko and Álvaro Morata this summer for a combined £127m, but Conte is determined to spend more.

“With the club we speak every day about the way to strengthen this team and the squad,” said Conte, talking in Singapore.

“The club knows very well which is my idea and where are the positions to strengthen and if this is possible, it is ok. If not, we continue this way.”