Antonio Conte will be hoping to rub salt into Chelsea's wounds next season by getting the very best out of two of their former players.
The Italian was recently named Italy manager, and he has wasted no time in attempting to orchestrate a major reshuffle of his ranks – with several stars put up for sale and other targets identified.
Conte has made it clear that he is keen to retain the services of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with other new signings expected – and the former Tottenham manager is hoping to reunite with several familiar faces at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Related articles
Conte has been the driving force behind Napoli’s pursuit of Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian international made it clear that he has no intention of returning to Chelsea, regardless of the arrival of Enzo Maresca.
According to Sky Sports Italy, Lukaku has agreed to sign a three-year deal with Napoli once the Serie A side have reached an agreement with the Blues. He has also lowered his wage demands markedly and has accepted a £97,000 a week salary to ensure that a deal can be reached.
Lukaku has shone in Italy previously and it would be no surprise if he was to thrive upon his reunion with Conte – and a stellar season from the ex-Inter Milan forward could leave Chelsea frustrated given that they remain in the market for a top striker.
The Blues are keen to sign a new No. 9 this summer, and if any new arrival is unable to replicate the levels that Lukaku are producing in Italy then Todd Boehly may be left pondering whether he could have done more to retain his services.
Similarly, the higher powers at Chelsea will be frustrated if Billy Gilmour impresses in the Serie A.
According to talkSPORT, Conte is pushing to work with the Scotland international at Napoli and lure the Scotland international away from Brighton & Hove Albion FC. The Seagulls have already rejected an opening offer of £8million for the playmaker, but a bid in the region of £12m is expected to be enough to secure his signature.
Boehly was reluctant to let Gilmour leave the club for Brighton in 2022 but then-manager Thomas Tuchel made it clear that the 23-year-old did not feature in his long-term plans at the club.
The Blues are well-stocked in central areas currently, though a homegrown player who can dictate the tempo of any match is hard to come by, and Gilmour excelling in Italy – if Conte is granted his transfer wish – will leave Boehly rueing what he may feel is a transfer blunder.
