Chelsea have stepped up their interest in signing FC Brno midfielder Lubos Kalouda.

The west London club sent scouts to watch the Czech Republic international at the weekend, when his side lost 2-0 in Plzen.

Juventus, 1860 Munich and PSV Eindhoven are all interested in signing the 20-year-old, though they all be beaten to him by CSKA Moscow, as the Russian transfer is open until March 7th.

FC Brno majority shareholder Roman Pros said: "The Russian club have sent us their offer. We have told them our demands. In football terminology, the ball is in the CSKA's court.

"Considering that the transfer market in Russia closes on March 7th, there is theoretically plenty of time for negotiations."

Kalouda himself is not letting the speculation of a £3.5 million move affect him, saying: "I had some news [of the CSKA bid] but try to keep it out of my mind.

"Already in the autumn representatives of various clubs travelled to Brno and I coped with it well then. So I have to put up with it now as well."

Eurosport