TOP STORY: Blues to back Conte with £250 million

There's plenty more spending to come at Chelsea, according to the Telegraph, which reports that the Premier League champions are poised to "back coach Antonio Conte with a budget that could top £250 million."

Conte wants to make four more signings, with Juventus left-back Alex Sandro, Inter Milan winger Antonio Candreva, Swansea forward Fernando Llorente and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk in his sights.

Of that quartet, the Telegraph says Sandro is "high on the list" and adds that Chelsea "are optimistic about a £60m deal for the Brazilian."

The Londoners will step up efforts to reach an agreement for Candreva, while Llorente "is seen as a realistic option to boost Conte's depleted attack."

Van Dijk, who continues to be linked with Liverpool, is reported to be the lowest priority, but the Telegraph adds that Chelsea "are continuing to monitor his situation and could make a bid before the window closes."

It's carry-on spending as City eye Sanchez or Mbappe

You might think Manchester City have already spent staggering money this summer, but they aren't finished yet, the Mail reports.

It says City, who wrapped up a move for Monaco defender Benjamin Mendy on Monday, want to turn their attention to attack and "are ready to take their astronomical outlay to another level by bidding for Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez or Monaco's Kylian Mbappe."

Sanchez is the more likely arrival of the two, the Mail adds, reporting that City "believe they still have a chance of signing the Chile international, despite Arsene Wenger's insistence that he will not be leaving," and have been "encouraged by his desire to play Champions League football next season."

Swansea hold firm on Sigurdsson valuation

To Wales, where Swansea City "remain resolute" that they will not accept less than £50 million for midfield maestro Gylfi Sigurdsson, according to the Guardian.

Everton have already seen two bids, one of £40 million and another of £45 million, rejected by the Swans, while Leicester have also been told that they will have to dig very deep to have any chance of landing the Iceland international.

But the Merseysiders remain in the frame to clinch a deal, with the Guardian saying that negotiations "are expected to continue, and Ronald Koeman is keen to add the midfielder to his expensive recruitment drive this week."

The report adds that Swansea "believe their valuation of a consistently creative talent to be fair in a transfer market where Manchester City paid £50m for Spurs right-back Kyle Walker."

Tap-ins

-- Premier League sides Watford and Championship club Hull City are in the frame to sign Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic after manager Jurgen Klopp declared that the Serbia international's Anfield career was over.

Liverpool, the Mirror reports, "are prepared to take a staggering £13m hit" on a player brought in from Benfica three years ago.

Watford appear to be favourites, with coach Marco Silva having signed Markovic on loan during his stint at Hull last season.

-- Sunderland could recruit Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack on a season-long loan, according to the Mail.

It says McCormack, 30, "will be allowed to move after manager Steve Bruce left him out of the preseason trip to Germany" and is interesting Sunderland as they seek a replacement for Jermain Defoe.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN STAFF

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