The Stamford Bridge club are close to agreeing a £52m double deal for Roma duo Emerson Palmieri and Dzeko, but the Bosnia striker has asked for more time to consider his options – and wants assurances of regular football from manager Antonio Conte.

The former Manchester City striker has been offered a deal of around £135,000 a week plus bonuses. He is currently on £80,000 a week at Roma, and last night was talking over the move with his family.

Left-back Palmieri has already agreed to the move and is set to have a medical in the next 48 hours. His arrival will allow fellow Brazilian Kenedy to complete a loan move to Newcastle for the rest of the season.

Chelsea have a club policy that they do not offer players over 30 any more than a one-year deal but Dzeko, who is 31, will want at least as long as he has left on his Roma deal.

Conte wants cover in attack for the out-of-form Alvaro Morata and Dzeko, who had four-and-a-half years at City, could slot straight back into Premier League action.

Dzeko has scored 14 goals this season including two against Chelsea in the Champions League, but only two in his last 17 games.

Spanish side Sevilla are interested in taking Michy Batshuayi on loan until the end of the season.