Antonio Conte is demanding a huge £200 million transfer budget this summer. The Italian aims to turn Chelsea into genuine Champions League contenders next season.
According to The Sunday Times, the Italian will use money available as leverage before committing his future to the club.
But who exactly is he going to target with a £200 million war chest?
A central defender
It’s no secret that Conte has been trying to strengthen the core of Chelsea’s defence since his arrival.
Although last summer’s signing David Luiz has become a key member of the squad. The Brazilian was a deadline day panic buy, and not Conte’s top target.
At 36-years-old, club captain John Terry is almost certain to leave at the end of the season, meaning the Blues will be lacking depth at the back.
Juventus vice-captain Giorgio Chiellini and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. These stars are two names linked with a move to Chelsea last August, as well as in January.
With Napoli reportedly inserting a £76 million release clause into their defender’s new contract, he won’t come cheap and even though Chiellini’s now 32-years-old, his fee wouldn’t be far behind.
A backup striker, or Diego Costa’s replacement?
Michy Batshuayi has almost become a forgotten man at Stamford Bridge after signing from Marseille in 2016.
With a price tag of £33 million, he would have been expecting to start more games and sitting on the bench may not be a long-term option for the Belgian.
In-form striker Costa was reportedly subject to a world record bid from China in January but did not make the switch during the winter period.
The interest is likely to return, and any player would have their head turned at the thought of £600,000-a- week, which according to The Independent, Costa was offered.
However, Chelsea have been long-term admirers of Alvaro Morata. The striker has been in and out of the Real Madrid side. Again, he will not come cheap, likely costing over £50 million.
Fernando Llorente was also linked with the Blues in January, and he would surely be tempted by the opportunity to jump from the sinking Swansea City ship even if it was to play backup.
