We can’t compete with United and City in transfer market – Conte

ANTONIO CONTE has admitted Chelsea can no longer compete with the Manchester clubs in terms of their spending power, which matches any in the world.

The Chelsea manager believes United’s spectacular signing of Alexis Sanchez this week on a deal that makes him the best-paid player in England on a mammoth £350,000 a week, and City’s £124m summer outlay, only underlines they are out of reach of the rest of the Premier League.

And he predicted that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain will have to be on their guard as well.

“These two clubs can become seriously dangerous for other teams in the world,” he said.

“They are strong already and want to invest. For Alexis Sanchez, only one or two clubs can pay this salary. There are two teams in this league who are top, and they stay there. The others have to fight. It’s not simple to think about finishing above them.

“We were never in this race for Sanchez because of the salary. But we’re not worried. If you work you can fight these big teams.

“Last year we won the league with a little miracle. But situations change. It’s the truth. If you have money you can have the best players. Otherwise you find other ways.”

Conte has been unhappy with Chelsea’s transfer policy since the summer, and there is increasing speculation he will leave at the end of this season even though another £52m could be spent this week, with Roma’s Emerson Palmieri and Edin Dzeko set to arrive.

“If you want the best, you spend. Otherwise you go in the middle and spend £20m or £30m,” he said.

“If a player earns a lot, it’s because he is the best.

“It’s the same for the coach. If you never win a trophy, you can say you are the best. But the best win. If you win, ask for more. If you don’t win, don’t ask. You win and can ask, but…” Chelsea are prepared to risk unsettling some of their veteran stars by handing Dzeko a two-and-a-half year contract and sealing a double deal for the Bosnian forward and Roma teammate Palmieri. Palmieri, a leftback who will play at wing-back for the defending Premier League champions, has already agreed a £45,000 per week move to Stamford Bridge and is just awaiting formalities. But the deal to sign Dzeko has been more complicated, with the former Manchester City man looking for assurances over playing time and a longer contract than the Blues are usually willing to give those over 30. The 31-year-old striker has been offered a £100k per week deal until 2021, a two-and-a-half year contract where the club’s policy has always been to limit over 30s to one-year deals.