Conte’s hit by transfer crisis

CHELSEA will resist efforts by Antonio Conte to change their transfer policy at Stamford Bridge.

Sources close to Conte, below, have revealed that the Italian is growing increasingly frustrated at the club’s failure to make early inroads in the summer market.

Conte, right, has been repeatedly linked with a return to Italy and in particular Inter Milan for the past few months, despite winning the title in his first season with Chelsea.

There were reports this week from Italy, where Conte is on holiday, that he might even be considering his future with his transfer targets, and the number of players he wants to bring in, apparently at odds with the board’s view.

Chelsea have said they are “relaxed” about the situation and are adamant Conte, 47, has not communicated any unhappiness directly to the club. They fully expect him to be in charge when their squad returns for pre-season training early next month.

Chelsea have made Conte a new contract offer that would make him the highest-paid manager in the club’s history and keep him there until 2021, but that deal has yet to be signed.

Conte had hoped to have already made several significant additions to his squad, especially with the club’s return to the Champions League next season.

The Italian had told the board that Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci is a player he wants but the 30-year-old would cost £50million-plus.

He had also expected a deal for Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk to have been completed by now but Liverpool’s interest has raised his transfer fee.