Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has knocked back an approach from Genoa for midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, according to Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport .

An enquiry for the 22-year-old Sierra Leone-born former England under-21 international, by Genoa president Enrico Preziosi, was given short shrift because of Conte 's desire to hang on to the player.

Chalobah , who is on the fringes of the Chelsea squad, made five appearances for Napoli during a season-long loan with the Serie A outfit last season.