Chelsea transfer news: Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto wanted as Nemanja Matic replacement following Manchester United move
Antonio Conte did not want to sell midfielder and is now targeting versatile Barcelona ace in £35m deal
ANTONIO CONTE has reportedly told Chelsea chiefs to sign Barcelona star Sergi Roberto as Nemanja Matic’s replacement.
The Blues look light on numbers after selling the Serbian midfielder to Premier League rivals Manchester United.
And Spanish newspaper Sport claims that Conte has now set his sights on versatile ace Roberto.
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The former Barca academy product has a £35million release clause and could be open to leaving the Nou Camp this summer.
Roberto has spent much of his time playing at right-back instead of his preferred central midfield position.
And the promise of regular game time in west London could sway the Spaniard towards a Stamford Bridge switch.
Roberto’s ability to also play on the right means Chelsea could avoid having to pay over the odds for a new defender.
But the report adds that senior Blues figures are reluctant to spend big on a fourth signing after already splashing the cash on Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger.
Chelsea transfer news
It’s said that chiefs will wait to see how Chelsea fare in their opening games of the season before delving into the market late on for last-minute raids.
That stance is sure to infuriate Conte, who is reportedly unhappy at the club’s lack of activity in the market.
Chelsea have parted ways with a number of players who were involved in last season’s convincing title win.
But doubts are creeping in over whether they have enough depth to retain their trophy as well as compete with Europe’s elite in the Champions League.
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