Chelsea are ‘cautious’ about paying Everton’s Lukaku valuation, looking at other targets

 

Antonio Conte and Roman Abramovich were always likely to lock horns over transfers. Whilst in Spain this week it was made clear Abramovich will back his manager completely over Diego Costa, it may not be so amicable on the transfer front.

Whilst claims of a potential exit are probably premature, as they were repeatedly in Italy at Juventus, it’s quite possible when Conte eventually leaves Chelsea that transfers will have a lot to do with it.

As tenacious at getting what he wants in the market as he is on the side of the pitch, Conte and Juventus had repeated battles, that often ended up in the Italian media. The manager wasn’t content with just being multiple Serie A winner, with the odd cup, he wanted Champions League glory and a squad to give him that.

Saturday’s edition of L’Equipe jumps on the disgruntlement bandwagon, by saying Conte wants more in the transfer market and there’s been issues over the past few days. L’Equipe are using it to frame a Chelsea interest in Alexandre Lacazette, and that could be the only reason.

The French newspaper say Chelsea are ‘cautious’ about paying what Everton want for Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker has made it very clear he wants to leave Everton, and hinted he’d like Chelsea to be his destination.

Whether the Everton striker is Conte’s first choice or not, and there’s suggestions he isn’t, Chelsea are still said to think it may cost too much to take him from Goodison Park, so are looking at other targets.

Those targets include Lacazette, and whilst there’s nothing concrete, Chelsea are keeping the player ‘in mind’.