Conte primed to launch quarter of a billion spending spree

ANTONIO CONTE is targeting four more signings as Chelsea prepare to back their manager with a budget which could top £250 million (€280m).

Conte is to rival Manchester City in the summer spending stakes as he moves to strengthen the Premier League champions with Alex Sandro, Antonio Candreva, Fernando Llorente and Virgil van Dijk.

Sandro, the Juventus left-back, is high on Conte’s list of targets and though negotiations have proved difficult, Chelsea are optimistic about a £60m (€67m) deal for the Brazilian (right).

Chelsea are also stepping up their interest in Candreva, the Inter Milan winger, while Swansea’s Llorente is seen as an option for Conte’s depleted attack.

Southampton defender Van Dijk is understood not to be a priority at this stage but Chelsea are continuing to monitor the situation and could make a bid before the transfer window closes.

The Dutch centre-half has been left out of Southampton’s 25-man squad for a training camp in France this week and made it clear he wants to leave St Mary’s.

Chelsea have already forked out £130m (€145m) on four players, including record signing Alvaro Morata, and assured Conte they would back him with substantial funds when he signed a new twoyear contract.

Manchester City are the biggest spenders by some distance this summer, paying an estimated £230m (€257m) as Pep Guardiola revamps his squad at the Etihad.

Conte insisted last week, during the pre-season tour of Asia, that Chelsea urgently needed more players. The Italian will intensify his attempts to bring in fresh faces this month.