Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel in line to receive surprise windfall to boost summer transfer budget

AC Milan reportedly have every intention of exercising their option to sign Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori on a permanent basis.

During the January transfer window, the 23-year-old was allowed to swap west London for Milan - albeit on loan in order to get regular first-team minutes under his belt during the second half of the season.

This is after Tomori fell down the centre-back pecking order at Chelsea following the arrival of Thiago Silva last summer.

And thus far, the loan deal is working out well for the defender as he has now made five appearances across all competitions for the Rossoneri - including the Europa League round of 32 first-leg clash with Red Star.

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Such has been Tomori's impressive start to life in Italy, there has been talk of a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

In fact, Calciomercato claim Milan have already made a decision to try and sign the centre-back on a permanent basis when his loan deal finishes.

A deal taking Tomori to the San Siro could see the Blues pocket a fee in the region of €25m (£21m) as Milan appear to have negotiated an option to buy the defender at the end of the campaign.

However, the aforementioned report suggests Milan will still have to negotiate a fee with Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia who is asking for over €25m.

With that said, £25m was the fee reported after the loan deal was announced last month.

The report also states that Milan believe in Tomori's qualities and the only reason they didn't push for a permanent transfer in January window was because of budget issues.

It's understood the scenario will be different in the summer and therefore an attempt to sign the one-cap England international will be made.

But will Tomori consider making the switch?

Well, he has been asked about his future, whether it be a return to Chelsea, or a San Siro stay, and it's safe to say he is not giving too much away at this point.

"There was nothing much to think really. Once I switched to Milan it was all about Milan," he told the BBC. "Whatever happens at Chelsea, happens at Chelsea."