Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Chelsea willing to pay £21m up front for Serie A star in order to thwart Antonio Conte
Chelsea are ready to pay £21million up front to sign Hellas Verona ace Marash Kumbulla and spoil the transfer plans of former boss Antonio Conte.
Jadon Sancho should join Chelsea claims pundit
Chelsea are prepared to pay £21m this summer in an attempt to sign highly-rated defender Marash Kumbulla. The 20-year-old is a rising star in Serie A and is a top target of former Blues boss Antonio Conte at Inter Milan.
Chelsea are therefore prepared to shell out a hefty fee in order to secure Kumbulla’s signature, according to reports from Italy.
L’Arena claim the Blues are keen to beat their ex-manager to the signing of the Hellas Verona prospect and bolster their options in central defence.
And the report suggests Kumbulla should follow the example set by former Hellas ace Jorginho and make the transition to Stamford Bridge.
However, Inter Milan are thought to be leading the race for the youngster and have already opened negotiations with the player’s representatives.
JUST IN: Former Chelsea medic reveals why footballers at top clubs more vulnerable to coronavirus
Chelsea will therefore need to move fast in order to secure Kumbulla and are reportedly ready to lay their cards on the table in the upcoming transfer battle.
Lampard is expected to be busy in the summer window as the Blues bolster their squad and make the most of their recent transfer ban being lifted.
A £33m deal for Hakim Ziyech was already agreed in January, with the Moroccan winger set to join Chelsea at the end of the current campaign.
DON'T MISS
Best and worst Chelsea players this season ranked as stats highlight four huge problems
How Chelsea could line up with every player a different nationality – John Terry left out
Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ranked as worst Premier League stadium experience on matchdays
A new striker is also on the club’s wishlist, with Moussa Dembele identified as a priority target while another attacker is needed as cover for the out-of-contract duo of Willian and Pedro.
Jadon Sancho appears to be Chelsea’s first choice but the Borussia Dortmund winger will cost £120m and is also courted by Liverpool and Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Lampard is also looking to strengthen at left-back with one of Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri expected to depart.
Ben Chilwell could cost as much as £80m so Alex Telles and Ziyech’s Ajax team-mate Nicolas Tagliafico have been touted as possible alternatives.
The Chelsea boss also has a decision to make regarding his goalkeeper with Kepa Arrizabalaga having lost his place in the starting XI earlier this season.
The Spanish stopper is reportedly attracting attention from Real Madrid while the Blues have been linked with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jan Oblak, Andre Onana, Dean Henderson and Juan Musso.
A shock move for Manuel Neuer has also been mentioned, while reports from Italy suggest Chelsea have also made contact with agent Mino Raiola over the future of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The AC Milan ace is out of contract next season and is yet to agree terms on a contract extension, leaving the door open for the Blues to make enquiries.