Conte ‘obsessed’ with signing Danilo
CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte is determined to sign Real Madrid star Danilo, according to reports. The Blues boss is keen to bring in new additions in this summer’s transfer window. He has grown frustrated with the club’s lack of activity so far after missing out on top target Romelu Lukaku, who is on the verge of joining Manchester United. Conte also looks set to fail in his attempts to sign James Rodriguez and Monaco defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Italian has brought in former Manchester City keeper Willy Caballero and the £34m signing of Antonio Rudiger from Roma. But he is keen to bolster his ranks even further and has pinpointed rightback as an area for improvement. He wants to provide healthy competition for Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses, and Danilo has been viewed as the man to fit the bill. Reports last week suggested Chelsea tabled a £22m offer to Real Madrid in a bid to persuade them to sell the Brazil international, but they rejected their approach. However, Spanish outlet Diario Madridsta say Chelsea are not giving up in their pursuit of Danilo. Real boss Zinedine Zidane does not want to get rid of the player. But Conte is apparently ‘obsessed’ with signing him and wants the defender to sign for the club at all costs. Danilo made 17 La Liga starts for Real last season and scored one goal. He is contracted to the club until the summer of 2021. prepared to pay £45m-plus for the Monaco winger and believe he is keen to join this summer. Arsenal have seen two bids knocked back already but will make a third this week, according to the Mirror. Lemar is Arsenal’s top wide target this summer and the man they are focussing on having already signed Alexandre Lacazette for a new club-record fee. Lemar impressed last season as Monaco won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semifinals. The 21-yearold is part of the Monaco contingent linked with a move away. The Independent understands that United are deep in discussions with Real Madrid over Colombian Rodriguez in a move that would likely cost upwards of 70million. But while Modric, who moved the other way – from Premier League to La Liga in 2012 – would understand any player leaving to get more playing time he believes walking away from the Bernabeu would see you leave the biggest club in the world. “It’s certainly not an easy decision to leave Madrid,” he told Marca. “When you leave here, nothing is the same. You’re at the best club in the world, that’s for sure, and from there you can only go down. “Everyone will have their reasons. If I continue like this, I will do everything possible to stay, but things in football change fast.” The player’s marketability and commercial appeal would also fulfil Ed Woodward’s desire to bring in a “star” every summer. Jose Mourinho was pivotal in getting Romelu Lukaku to sign for Manchester United, according to journalist Miguel Delaney. Romelu Lukaku confirmed at the weekend he would be heading to Manchester United this summer, leaving Chelsea fans fuming. The Blues had been in pole position to re-sign the