Antonio Conte remains on collision course with Chelsea over transfers — even as they prepare for a huge transfer deadline-beating spending spree.

The champions' hierarchy fear boss Conte will not be satisfied, even if they land three top targets before the window shuts in just over a fortnight.

Conte is understood to have been part of a SIX hour meeting on transfers — and still left the summit with Chelsea insiders believing he will always want “more, more, more.”

Owner Roman Abramovich is determined to back his manager in the market and Chelsea are lining up a splurge worth more than £120million between now and 11pm on Thursday, August 31.

Arsenal’s England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is at the top of their wish-list and they believe they may be able to get a deal done for him at £35m.

Opponents this pre-season, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jeremie Boga could be team-mates soon (
Image:
Getty)

Chelsea are also in for Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk. While Southampton are publicly insisting he is not for sale, privately there is a belief they might part with him if offered more than £70m.

The Blues also want Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater as they look to solve their squad's numbers shortage and lift Conte’s mood and end his complaints after an unhappy start to the campaign.

It has created a mood of tension at Chelsea, despite the club handing him a new contract — although he did not sign an extension to his existing deal, he was just given a pay-rise.

Would a bid of £70million change Southampton's mind about not-for-sale Van Dijk? (
Image:
AFP/Getty)
Drinkwater is another on the shopping list for Chelsea's undermanned midfield (
Image:
Reuters)

Conte clashed with the hierarchy in the summer over transfers.

He warned they were short of bodies, but the champions still sold midfielders Nathaniel Chalobah to Watford and, more surprisingly, Nemanja Matic to title rivals Manchester United.

Conte had extensive talks with technical director Michael Emenalo and director Marina Granovskaia, which included that marathon six-hour session, to leave club officials deeply worried about this window.

While the club want to sign younger players with a resale value, Conte would rather being in proven talents.

Midfield workhorse Matic was sold in one of the summer's most amazing transfers (
Image:
AFP)
Blues youngster Chalobah has also left for Watford in search of more first-team action (
Image:
Getty)

The former Italy boss quit Juventus in a huff over transfers three years ago and Chelsea’s current plight has several parallels with Jose Mourinho’s final season — he was sacked in December 2015 amid a disastrous defence of their title.

Chelsea’s players respect Conte as a coach but the treatment of Diego Costa has not gone down well as the striker was a hugely popular member of the dressing room before being dumped.

Conte is a demanding manager but will never win - and probably does not want to - popularity contests with his players at the Bridge.

He spoke of wanting to build a legacy and dynasty at Chelsea and despite his remarkable debut-season success it does seem increasingly unlikely he will become one of the Premier League’s longest serving bosses.

Meanwhile, Eden Hazard has given Chelsea a boost after returning to training with the first team squad.

Hazard has been out for two months after breaking his ankle and while he is still some way short of match fitness he is at least is now nearing a return.

New £40million midfield signing Tiemoue Bakayoko is also training after his knee injury, but is unlikely to be ready to face Tottenham on Sunday.

Spain winger Pedro sat out the session, but is hoping to be fit for the Wembley trip after picking up an ankle knock there in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal.

poll loading

Will you be betting on Antonio Conte to be sacked first?

3000+ VOTES SO FAR

poll loading

Will Antonio Conte be Chelsea manager in 12 months' time?

25000+ VOTES SO FAR