Conte To Raid Fiorentina Once Again To Snap This £38m Italian Starlet

Chelsea are ready to step up their chase for Fiorentina’s attacker Federico Bernardeschi with a £38m bid, according to the Daily Star.

The 22-year-old is one of the most talked about youngsters in the Italian league, having netted 7 goals and contributing a single assist out of 14 matches this term. He has three years remaining on his current contract that runs out in 2019 yet the Serie A outfit are willing to cash in on their key player.

The club’s former player and current manager Paulo Sousa stated that the Italian star “deserved to play for a club with more ambition.”

On the other hand, leaving the club could be a tough pill to swallow for Bernardeschi who has developed through the ranks at Viola since moving in at the age of nine.

The Chelsea manager is a well-known admirer of versatility and Bernardeschi does fit the canon. The left-footed player can be employed on either flank or exploit spaces right behind strikers. In other words, he would fit naturally in the spot currently engaged by Pedro and Hazard.

Surprisingly, Conte is eyeing the attacker as Diego Costa’s replacement as the Spaniard’s further is up in the air with grapevines linking him back to his country. Costa is certainly one of the main reasons why the west London club are high-flying this season and letting him go would be nothing but a big blow. If the man-mountain does leave, Bernardeschi would fit in as a conventional no.9. But the best case would be keeping hold of the former Atletico Madrid star and expanding the depth with the Fiorentina starlet.

The chances of the rumours to turn real are pretty encouraging too as Conte, during his days as the head coach of his country, offered Bernardeschi his Italy debut against Spain back in March. Besides that, he was also a part the Euro 2016’s tournament.

The Blues have previously had dealings with Fiorentina, most recently Conte secured the services of Marcos Alonso and a few seasons back Juan Cuadrado did arrive at Stamford Bridge with huge expectations yet failed to make an impact. Not forgetting, recent reports have also highlighted that the 47-year-old is also interested in Croatia star Milan Badelj, who takes care of the defensive work in Viola’s midfield while Bernardeschi is working on the attack.

The former Juventus boss’ interest to snap two more players from the same club is pretty debatable. However, Liverpool have done more dealings with Southampton and the aftermath has been fruitful. Conte is interested in tying a deal in the upcoming transfer window yet summer 2017 seems to be more likely.

Furthermore, he will need to sell a handful of players who don’t fit his plan to make room and money for further incomings. The young winger himself would consider playing minutes to be a crucial part of his future move, and as of now, he will be a stuck between the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, if Bernardeschi desires to leave the club and sign for Chelsea or draw up more interests for other European giants, all he needs to do is continue his current hot streak.