Chelsea are ready submit an offer close to £88 million for Torino striker Andrea Belotti, according to reports in Italy.
La Stampa claims that Antonio Conte has advised Chelsea’s hierarchy that the Italy international is his preference to replace Diego Costa for the upcoming season.
Belotti has a €100m (£88m) release clause in his current contract with Torino and La Stampa reports that the Premier League champions will bid close to that amount.
Torino are also lining up a replacement for Belotti by closing in on the signing of Duvan Zapata from Napoli.
Chelsea have been forced to alter their transfer plans after missing out on the signing of Romelu Lukaku, who officially joined Manchester United for £75m on Monday.
Alvaro Morata is back on Conte’s radar but Chelsea could face similar difficulties to Manchester United in their negotiations with Real Madrid.
United had been in talks with Madrid but the Spanish champions are reportedly holding out for a €90m (£79m) transfer fee.
Belotti, meanwhile, will not leave Torino unless his release clause is activated and the Serie A club’s president, Urbano Cairo, admits the striker who scored 28 goals last season has attracted interest.
‘He has a €100m release clause. For now no-one has come in for him. I’m glad he’s with us and I hope he can stay,’ Cairo told Sky Italia.
‘I want to understand his intentions, I’m happy for him to stay, not least because we’ve given up interesting options which didn’t reach the €100m clause.
‘They weren’t real offers, but there were contacts. I don’t want to imagine a Toro without Il Gallo.
‘The clause is there, but we have to understand what he thinks because it’s important for a player to stay with the desire to do well.
‘I want to talk to him, I want a confirmation.
‘I don’t think it’s possible to sell in Italy, where there isn’t even the clause. Andrea is an extraordinary lad, he has undeniable qualities.’
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