Chelsea Plot Bids For Arsenal & Everton Stars As Conte Eyes £80m Double Swoop

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea are linked with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley….

Chelsea are plotting bids for Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Everton’s Ross Barkley as Antonio Conte looks to add more English talent to his squad this summer, according to the Telegraph.

Conte has already signed four new players having brought in striker Alvaro Morata, midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, centre-back Antonio Rudiger and goalkeeper Willy Caballero so far.

However, the Blues boss knows he needs to further strengthen his squad if they are to compete on all fronts this season and the Telegraph claim Conte is hoping to bring in up to four additional signings.

The Chelsea supremo is also looking to add more English players to his squad as their ‘homegrown’ quota has decreased following the exits of John Terry, Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic.

The newspaper claims the defending champions are now lining-up a formal bid for Oxlade-Chamberlain after being strongly linked with a move for the Arsenal midfielder in recent weeks.

The 23-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract and is yet to agree terms with the Gunners over an extension leading to speculation he could be on the move this summer.

Arsene Wenger insists Oxlade-Chamberlain won’t be sold even if he doesn’t sign a new deal but the Telegraph suggest the north Londoners could cash-in if £30m is put on the table and it appears Chelsea are ready to test their resolve.

The Ox is capable of playing on the wings or in the middle of midfield while he also impressed in the right wing-back position last season so his versatility would be a valuable asset for Conte.

Barkley is another player on Chelsea’s radar and the England international looks set for a move this summer as he has just 12 months left on his deal and has made it clear he won’t sign an extension.

Ronald Koeman has confirmed the midfielder will be allowed to leave if a suitable offer comes in but the Telegraph suggest the Merseysiders are holding out for around £80m.

That valuation has so far deterred other potential suitors such as Tottenham and Man City so it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be more willing to match the Toffees asking price.

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Barkley is one of England’s brightest young talents and has the potential to develop in to a real star so I think he’d be an excellent addition to the Chelsea squad if they were to get a deal agreed.

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming weeks but it looks like Chelsea are going to be extremely active with Conte eyeing a potential £80m double swoop for Oxlade-Chamberlain and Barkley.