Chelsea target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley

Chelsea are keen on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley
Chelsea are keen on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley

Chelsea are considering bids for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley as Antonio Conte moves to boost his squad with English players.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Arsenal attacker, and Everton’s wantaway midfielder Barkley are both being monitored by the Premier League champions ahead of the forthcoming campaign.

Conte is targeting up to four more signings this summer and is understood to be focused on recruiting at least one England international, with Chelsea captain Gary Cahill the only Three Lions regular in last season’s title-winning squad.

With former captain John Terry, Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic also leaving Stamford Bridge this summer, Chelsea’s ‘homegrown’ quota has decreased and Conte is weighing up moves for two England stars.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has one year remaining on his contract at Arsenal and Conte is keen on the 23-year-old due to his versatility in midfield or attack, while he could also compete with Victor Moses at wing-back.

Arsenal have insisted Oxlade-Chamberlain will stay at the Emirates but a switch across London to Chelsea – who are guaranteed Champions League football this season – could persuade him to leave. He is valued at around £30 million.

Conte was asked about his interest in the former Southampton star and replied: “You know very well that I don’t like to speak about other players who are at other teams. 

“It’s not respectful for the team of the player or the player. It’s very difficult for me.”

Barkley is also on Chelsea’s radar, along with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, and Everton manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed he will leave this summer if an acceptable offer is made.

The 23-year-old is rated at £50 million by the Everton hierarchy and Chelsea have maintained a long-standing interest.

Alex Sandro, the Juventus left-back, is also a leading Chelsea target and Conte will step up his bid to sign him when he returns from Singapore next week.

Marcos Alonso’s place will be under threat if Sandro moves to west London but the Chelsea defender has pledged to fight for his future.

“This is Chelsea. We play in four competitions this year, so many games and competition can only be good for me and for the team,” he said.

“I will just keep training, keep improving, keep doing well for the team and keep fighting.

“I don’t remember about last season already. I think about Arsenal [the Community Shield] and Burnley [Chelsea’s opening Premier League game] and that’s it.

“Football forgets everything very quick. It’s already time to think about the next season and do better than last year.”

Chelsea play the final game of their tour of Asia against Inter Milan at Singapore’s National Stadium on Saturday evening.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is valued at £4.1m in telegraph Fantasy Football, but is he good enough to make your team? - pick a team now >>

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