The Brazilian has long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and the big-spending London club are known to be keen to solve what has been a problem position.
Branislav Ivanovic has mainly been used at right-back but the Serbian is known to prefer playing in the centre of defence.
Maicon will next summer be out of contract at Inter and so the club could prefer to sell now rather than risk losing the 31-year-old for nothing in 12 months’ time.
Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni told Sky Sports Italia: “Maicon is the strongest right-back in the world. We all are fond of him, all at Inter love him.
“However, for some evaluations, affection does not count so much. Let’s see what happens in the coming days.”