Chelsea’s January Wishlist Identified: Conte Eyeing Five Signings Including £94.2million Brazilian Duo

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is planning to spend big during the January transfer window and has targeted Brazilian duo Alex Sandro and Lucas Moura, as well as a number of former targets the club missed out on summer.

According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League champions have eyes on a number of players with Conte having told the club’s hierarchy that they risk being left behind by league leaders Manchester City.

Top of the 48-year-old Italian’s shopping list could be Alex Sandro from Juventus. Having been linked with a move for the Brazilian international for most of last summer, a switch failed to materialise for the left-back.

It is believed that whilst Sandro wanted to move to Chelsea, he was not keen to ‘force’ a move away from Turin, with Juventus themselves quoting a £60m for the 26-year-old defender. The Blues seem to lack cover for left-wing back Marcos Alonso, who has put in consistent performances this season. Concern remains that the Spaniard is beginning to feel the fatigue of a busy Christmas fixture list.

Sandro’s Brazilian compatriot, Lucas Moura is desperate to leave Paris Saint-Germain after slipping down the pecking order following the high-profile arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the summer. The £34.2m rated Brazilian has managed just 71 minutes of action this season – all from the bench and Conte seems to consider a move for the nippy winger.

Alex Sandro

Another player from the Ligue 1; Mouctar Diakhaby has impressed with his performances for Lyon this season. The towering centre-back, if signed in January should strengthen the Chelsea backline that has looked vulnerable at times this campaign.

With Alvaro Morata facing a heavy workload and Michy Batshuayi still not trustworthy, Chelsea are in dire need of a striker. Christian Benteke, who has an admirer in Conte, could be an option. Crystal Palace are highly dependent on the Belgian centre-forward’s goals in their bid to avoid the drop; so it’s not logical to expect a deal in January.

Last but not the least; Ross Barkley remains an exciting option for the Blues since his reported failed deadline-day switch from Everton in August. The 23-year-old playmaker, however, is yet to play this season for the struggling Everton due to injury. It remains to be seen if a move materialises in January.