Chelsea's search for a new forward has seen them linked with a move for Napoli's Dries Mertens.
The Belgium international is out of contract in five months and according to Di Marzio, the Blues are 'serious' about signing the 32-year-old before the January transfer window and are in negotiations with the Serie A outfit.
This will be music to the ears of Frank Lampard who has previously admitted he wants to bolster his attacking options after watching his side struggle in front of goal at times this season.
"In attacking areas, because we need to be more clinical," he said when asked about his priorities following the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle United at St James' Park a couple of weeks ago.
"I wouldn't say 'a goalscorer' but we need to be more clinical in the box in terms of our front line.
"When we attack and spend a lot of time around the opposition's box, we have chipped in with some goals from midfield and have people who can arrive from midfield, but the broader reality is that we need more goals from the front line."
Should Chelsea complete a deal for Mertens then he will be reunited with Jorginho.
The pair were teammates for five years at the Stadio San Paolo prior to the latter departing in the summer of 2018 as he followed Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge.
And even though they've been miles apart, the friendship remains intact.
As spotted by CalcioNapoli1926, the pair still keep in touch via social media.
In fact, last season Jorginho uploaded an image of his video call with Mertens to his Instagram account.
There was a message which read: "Mi manchi chapada" which in translation means "I miss you chapada."
The big question between now and deadline day is will Mertens be reunited with Jorginho?
Well, Football.london understand that the Blues have made contact with Napoli in regards to signing Mertens for £8m before the transfer window closes, but there's been no firm indication yet as to what decision the Serie A side will make.
With the forward out of contract in the summer, any deal taking him to Stamford Bridge will be won't be long-term as the west London outfit are only likely to offer a short-term contract because he turns 33 in May.
