Antonio Conte is confident of completing a £45million deal for Gonzalo Higuain – and that could open the door for Diego Costa to go to China, according to the Mirror.
Conte has made Napoli’s Argentinian striker his No1 target when he takes over at Stamford Bridge this summer and believes Higuain is ready to move to Chelsea .
But there is also serious interest in Chelsea striker Costa who has been offered a massive pay day to move to the Far East while Atletico Madrid have admitted they want him back.
Chelsea are adamant that bad boy striker Costa is not for sale at any price and that the Spain star does not want to leave Stamford Bridge.
But the interest from China is serious and at least three different clubs have contacted his representatives and the money on offer – believed to be in excess of £250,000-a-week – is incredible.
Higuain, 28, nearly joined Arsenal three years ago but went to Napoli who may now cash in while his value is still high. Chelsea have made discreet enquiries and are hopeful of a deal.
The sky-high fee has not dissuaded Chelsea with Conte set to completely overhaul the squad at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Chelsea believe they will complete a deal to sign Roma’s Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan this summer.
But their hopes of signing Roma defender Kostas Manolas – also a target for Arsenal – are in the balance as if Roma sell this summer they will have to pay his former club Olympiacos a huge sell-on which reduces next summer.
Chelsea have also looked at German defender Antonio Rüdiger who is currently on loan at Roma from Stuttgart.
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