Chelsea are interested in signing England defender John Stones on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City.

The west London side have joined Inter Milan in considering a move for the 32-year-old, who became a free agent when his City contract expired at the end of June.

Chelsea are also in talks to sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix while assessing other options in the market, including Como's Jacobo Ramon.

They are also looking to sell central defenders to make space in their squad for potential new arrivals.

Fellow England international Trevoh Chalobah is in talks to join Como, while Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are among those available for sale.

Stones made 295 appearances for City after joining from Everton for £47.5m in 2016.

He helped the club win six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, the Club World Cup and the Uefa Super Cup.

The former Barnsley defender also has 93 international caps and was part of the Three Lions side who finished third at the World Cup.

Chelsea announced the £117m signing of England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.

The Blues are also in talks with Villa about Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho moving on loan in the opposite direction.