Antoine Griezmann to spearhead Conte's new 4-2-4 Chelsea formation
Top Story: Chelsea to prize Griezmann away from Atleti
Chelsea will try to capture Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann this summer, despite the obstacle of not playing in the Champions League, and will offer the Frenchman a bumper contract, according to the Mirror.The 25-year-old has bagged 29 goals this season for Diego Simeone's side and the Blues are determined to make him the latest Atletico player to move to Stamford Bridge.
Griezmann would command a huge fee should Atleti decide to cash in on their star striker, but with Radamel Falcao, Loic Remy and Alexandre Pato likely to come off their wage bill, the Blues will be able to offer big wages to new signings this summer.
City to sign Laporte, despite major injury
Manchester City are prepared to invest heavily in Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte, despite the French international suffering a broken leg recently, according to the Guardian.City would have to trigger Laporte's £39.6 million release clause to bring him to the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola believes it would be money well spent due to the player's potential to play at the highest level for 10 years.
John Stones had interested City, with Manchester United and Chelsea also thought to be keen, but it seems Laporte is now the No. 1 defensive target this summer.
Spurs look to bring Schurrle back to the Prem
Spurs want to bring former Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle back to the Premier League with the German international unsettled at Wolfsburg, according to the Mirror.Wolfsburg are set to miss out on European football and the 25-year-old is said to be unhappy in the Bundesliga under coach Dieter Hecking.
Schurrle's Canadian fiance is also keen to move back to London, which would help Spurs strengthen ahead of next season's Champions League campaign.
Conte to opt for 4-2-4, targets major signings
The Antonio Conte era will begin with the Italian manager developing Chelsea in a 4-2-4 formation reminiscent of the Italian's early days in charge of Juventus.Conte, according to the Mirror, is looking to capture the likes of Paris Saint-Germain's Javier Pastore and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Roma's Radja Nainggolan, Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci, as well as the aforementioned Griezmann.
Conte is also determined to maintain the services of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa as he attempts to revitalise the Blues.
Tap-ins
- Manchester United have got their summer transfer business underway early by signing Irish full-back Lee O'Connor from Villa FC Waterford.The 15-year-old has just picked up the Republic of Ireland under-15 player of the year award and will now move to Old Trafford to further his development.
- Victor Wanyama continues to refuse to sign a new contract with Southampton and hopes Tottenham will reignite their interest in him, according to the Mirror.
The Kenyan has one year remaining on his deal and was the subject of a Spurs bid last summer, which reportedly involved a £18 million fee as well as Erik Lamela heading to the Saints as part of the deal.
- Thibaut Courtois is open to leaving Chelsea this summer should Real Madrid come in for him, according to One World Sports.
The Belgian stopper has endured a tough season with the Blues, but is now said to be eager to return to La Liga with Los Merengues should the opportunity present itself.
- Stoke fear they will lose Marko Arnautovic this summer for just £12.5 million after contract negotiations stalled, according to the Telegraph.
A buy-out clause means the Potters could lose the Austrian forward this summer after leading Mark Hughes' side with 11 goals this season.
