Chelsea are set to flex their financial muscle this summer in an attempt to banish their recent nightmare season, and have lined up a series of big-money offers for some of Europe’s most highly-rated players, according to media reports.
The Guardian reports that Chelsea, who surrendered their title after finishing last season 10th in the Premier League, are stepping up their interest in Juventus striker Alvaro Morata and hope to make significant progress before the start of the European Championship.
The Spain striker, 23, has an admirer in Chelsea’s new manager Antonio Conte, who lined up his move to Juventus in the summer of 2014 before he took over as Italy manager, and he is keen to make Morata one of his high-profile signings ahead of his debut season in charge.
The deal is made complicated by the £23 million (Dh122.9m) buy-back clause Real Madrid included in the deal prior to his switch to Juve. However, should Chelsea firm up their interest, it is likely Morata would be bough back by Madrid only to be sold for a higher price, thought to be in the region of £40m.
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Morata is not the only attacking player Conte has his sights on, with The Guardian also reporting that a move to take Romelu Lukaku back to Chelsea is high on Conte's wishlist.
Lukaku, 23, was signed by Chelsea as an 18-year-old, but spent much of his three-year spell at the club on loan at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, before sealing a permanent move to Everton for £28m in 2014.
The Belgian striker has since gone on to become one of the most consistent goalscorers in the Premier League, netting 18 last season despite Everton’s disappointing campaign.
Lukaku is thought to be interested in a return to Chelsea, although the club will reportedly need to pay £65m to make the move happen.
Chelsea's big spending will not end with strikers, however, with the Daily Mirror reporting that the club are determined to sign Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante.
Kante, 25, was one of Leicester’s standout players in the club’s remarkable title triumph, and is set to be one of the summer’s most coveted players, particularly given the £20m release clause in his contract.
Chelsea are reportedly prepared to activate the clause and will treble Kante’s £35,000 a week wages to secure his services.
Meanwhile, Roma have told Chelsea to drop their interest in Radja Nainggolan and Antonio Rudiger.
Nainggolan is thought to be a key transfer target for Conte, who wants to build a new-look midfield around the 28-year-old Belgium international, while Rudiger will provide much-needed depth to Chelsea’s central defence.
However, Roma president James Pallotta, has said the Serie A club will not be letting their star players leave this summer.
"I keep telling all of you that Nainggolan's not going anywhere," Pallotta is quoted as saying by the London Evening Standard.
“[Miralem] Pjanic is staying. If he has the buyout and we can’t do anything about it, that it’s not my issue, but Nainggolan’s not going anywhere.
“We have no intention to sell Rudiger.
“We don’t want to sell anyone, the squad fits perfectly so.”
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