Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Chelsea: bid for star Uruguayan; Lukaku and Morata updates; outbid by Everton
With Diego Costa’s future still unclear, Chelsea seem to be on the lookout for a striker. are one of the sources to claim that man may be Edison Cavani. The Uruguayan is said to be unhappy at the Parc des Princes, after Laurent Blanc frequently used him out wide or in a supporting role for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Blues are said to have made a £42 million bid for the previously prolific 29-year-old, but it remains to be seen if the bid will be accepted by PSG, who paid £55 million for him three years ago after scoring 104 goals in 138 games at Napoli in Serie A. Cavani is a top level striker, but has struggled to convince at PSG despite scoring 81 goals in 148 games in his time there. That said, he may relish the opportunity to be the main man in a club’s attack once again, and Chelsea will be hoping that is the case if they can attract him to Stamford Bridge on a fee which suits them.
This could affect a potential move for Romelu Lukaku, as claim that he may struggle to be first choice with Diego Costa at the club, let alone with Cavani to provide competition. Whilst Conte prefers to play with two up front, Costa and Lukaku seem too similar to play together, and with reports suggesting that Everton have rejected a £50 million bid, it would be an expensive gamble to take.
The Belgian is said to be keen on a move though, and given their similarities, if Chelsea’s current first choice striker is tempted into a move away, then Lukaku would surely be a prime candidate to replace him in their bid to return to the top of the Premier League.
It does seem though that this isn’t going to affect a bid for Alvaro Morata, say that Conte refused to rule out another bid for Real Madrid’s Spanish striker, having already had two rejected.
Morata is a top priority target for the club this summer, regardless of the uncertain future of Diego Costa, and they are said to have had separate £50 million and £63 million bids rejected by the club in the Spanish capital. Morata would likely suit the Premier League given his strength and pace, and having worked under Conte before the idea is sure to excite Blues fans, but the move could be a tricky one to pull off.
Everton have reportedly outbid the Blues for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, reports in the claim that the Toffees have made a last minute bid of £46 million for the strong centre-back, which has priced the London club out of a move. Napoli retain hopes of keeping their man, which has been helped by Chelsea refusing to exceed their £37 million valuation, but Everton have smashed that with a record bid.
For Chelsea, it would make little sense to make a big money move for Koulibaly. Whilst they have suffered with moves for defenders this summer, with the likes of Leonardo Bonucci and John Stones heading elsewhere, there are plenty of options available, many at cheaper prices, such as Benfica’s Victor Lindelof, who Conte has reportedly been monitoring.
There could also be a move for Italian midfielder Maroco Parolo according to . The 31 year old was vital for Italy in their European Championships campaign this summer and Antonio Conte is said to be keen to work with Parolo again.
However, Lazio are reluctant to let the central midfielder go, and having rejected a £22 million bid from AC Milan last summer, he is unlikely to come cheap. At such a price and at his age, he may not seem the wisest of transfer targets, but Conte knows and trusts Parolo and knows he will fit the Italian manager’s system.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by .