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Chelsea excited over £38.7m deal for star: Manchester United scouted him last week
CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly desperate to sign Joao Mario, according to reports.
Abramovich is said to be much more keen on Mario than the new manager
Express Sport understands incoming boss Antonio Conte will not be in full control of transfers at Stamford Bridge.
He has reportedly petitioned the board to bring in Roma director of football Walter Sabatini to handle player recruitment but there has been no movement that move.
And according to Portuguese newspaper Record, the Chelsea board are now preparing a bid for Mario with Abramovich excited about the chance and willing to pay as much as £38.7m for the player.
However, the Portuguese teenager stunned the Red Devils by completing a £27.5million deal with Bayern Munich earlier this month.
The news is said to have seen United step up their pursuit of other targets with Mario moving up their list of priorities and the interest of Chelsea could hurry them along even further.