Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has reportedly set his sights on Lazio’s top goalscorer Ciro Immobile ahead of next season, The Sun reports.
The Italian was left dissatisfied towards the Chelsea board’s attainments during the previous summer transfer window, and the club feel they should bring in more players of Conte’s own choice in order to extend his stay at the Bridge.
According to the source, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has already started working out a deal for Immobile, who would reportedly cost around £53m for the Blues.
The 27-year-old was the subject of a rejected £65m offer from an unnamed Chinese Super League side last season, but the Serie A side would be prepared to enter negotiations with the Londoner side as long as the transfer will be dated to the end of the campaign rather than to January.
Immobile was playing for Juventus’ academy side when Conte was in charge of the club. The former Azzurri boss believes the former Borussia Dortmund forward would ‘complement Alvaro Morata perfectly’ in the number nine role.
The Italy international has now scored a stunning 17 goals for Lazio in all competitions this season.
