Chelsea Eyes Loophole To End Antonio Conte Saga

TONY BANKS

Chelsea are poised to try to cut their price for sacking Antonio Conte on the cheap by alleging that he mismanaged the sale of Diego Costa.

The Italian told Costa he was not wanted at Chelsea in the ‘Textgate’ affair last summer, when he informed the striker in a phone message that he was not part of his plans for last season.

Chelsea are now understood to have explored legal options about Conte’s actions, with the club believing he devalued Costa’s fee by millions of pounds – as clubs were immediately alerted that Costa might be available.

Conte is due a £9million pay-out for the final year of his contract if Chelsea axe him this summer, with former Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri lined up as his successor, but Chelsea are believed to feel they have a case for compensation over Costa, which could allow them to cut that figure. Costa was eventually sold by Chelsea to his former club Atletico Madrid for £59m in January.

The striker, furious at Conte’s treatment of him in the summer, missed the entire first half of last season, despite being fit and able to play. But Chelsea believe they could have got a much higher price for a striker like Costa in the current inflated transfer market – especially with him already having scored twice for Spain in this World Cup.

Sarri will arrive at Stamford Bridge once Chelsea can agree compensation terms with Napoli – and it is then that Conte is set to depart. Sarri is set to bring former Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola with him as part of his backroom staff, with all of Conte’s staff, including former goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, understood to be set to depart with him. Sarri has agreed a two-year deal with the option for a third and has drawn up a £140m transfer wish list.

Napoli striker Dries Mertens is his top target and has a £28m release clause.

Sarri also wants Napoli right back Elseid Hysaj, who would cost around £23m, Juventus centre back Daniele Rugani, at around £20m, Inter Milan’s Uruguayan midfielder Matias Vecino at £19m, Nice midfielder Jean Seri for £28m, and maybe even Napoli winger Jose Maria Callejon.

Alvaro Morata, Willian, Davide Zappacosta, Danny Drinkwater and David Luiz will all be allowed to leave Chelsea.