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Chelsea: Hazard in huge swap deal; midfielder spotted in Italy; Conte wants Brazilian
The report that Antonio Conte is prepared to shock fans by offering to swap Eden Hazard to secure the signature of Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus. What is even more surprising is that initial reports from Italy claim that the Turin club have rebuffed the offer, instead favouring the opportunity to sign Cesc Fabregas in a swap deal. The Blues are reluctant to do so given that they would have to stump up more cash, but were hoping for a much less expensive deal if it included Hazard.
Conte is not desperate to get rid of Hazard, but remains determined to sign his favourite option in central defence as he looks to rebuild the Blues’ backline. Fabregas seems to have no future at Stamford Bridge and may end up being the one to head to Turin, but Conte will have to persuade Roman Abramovich to part with the cash to do so.
Another midfielder who could be on his way to Italy could be midfielder Nemanja Matic, after claim that the Serbian midfielder was spotted in Milan with his agent, reviving speculation linking him to both clubs in the city. Matic has played regularly for Conte so far this term but has once again failed to produce the kind of performances that saw him become popular in the club’s title winning season in 2014/15.
Now though, Matic seems likely to leave along with Fabregas, and whilst no current destination is clear, it seems increasingly likely that he will be playing in Serie A at some point in the near future.
Coming the other way could be Lazio wing back Felipe Anderson, according to the . The Brazilian has impressed since signing from Santos and has been deployed as a wing-back this season in a similar system to that which Conte wants to use at Stamford Bridge, but is currently lacking the staff to do so.
Lazio may not be keen to let their man go, so the Blues may have to fork out for the 23-year-old who has also been monitored by Manchester United since his move to Italy saw him prove his quality in Serie A. He would undoubtedly fit Conte’s model and would be a natural fit and long term replacement for Branislav Ivanovic.
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