ALARM BELS AT BLUES
Transfer chaos has Conte fuming
ANTONIO CONTE is becoming increasingly frustrated by Chelsea’s transfer policy.
The Italian’s inability to get what he wants is threatening to come to a head over the club’s failure to go for striking sensation Andrea Belotti. Starsport can reveal Blues boss Conte wanted the 23-year-old Italy star rather than a Stamford Bridge return for Romelu Lukaku. Both are valued in the region of £85m and Conte is unhappy owner Roman Abramovich backed technical director Michael Emenalo’s choice of Everton’s Lukaku. Conte’s mood will worsen if Jose Mourinho ends up luring Torino
hotshot Belotti, who scored 26 goals in Serie A last season, to Old Trafford in the event of his move for Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata falling through.
There is also a strong suggestion £61m Brazilian defender Alex Sandro was not on Conte’s wish-list, nor was free transfer keeper Willy Caballero from Manchester City.
But both are on their way to Stamford Bridge.
The uncertainty about new signings appears to be the main reason Conte has yet to sign a new, extended £9.6m a year contract at the club.
It has been on the table since before the end of last season.
There is no suggestion he is ready to walk away yet.
But there is an air of uncertainty while the stand-off continues.
And to add to the unsettled atmosphere there appears to be no indication what the future holds for Diego Costa, who was told in a text from Conte that he had no future at the club.
The 28-year-old does not want to be shipped out to any of the Italian sides eyeing him.
And he is quite prepared to dig his heels in and stick around until he can move to former club Atletico Madrid in January, when their transfer ban is lifted.