Antonio Conte furious with Chelsea set to lose Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United - but Alvaro Morata offers hope

Conte is livid at the prospect of missing out on Everton striker Lukaku
AFP/Getty Images
Simon Johnson7 July 2017

Antonio Conte is furious at the prospect of Chelsea missing out on Romelu Lukaku as Alvaro Morata hopes he will secure a move to Stamford Bridge instead.

Chelsea are having to start looking at new targets to play up front next season after Manchester United agreed an initial £75m fee for their first choice target Lukaku.

Conte is believed to be livid that the club look set to lose the Belgium international, who he has been speaking to for several weeks about a switch to west London, to a title rival.

While rumours last month that he was considering leaving were incorrect, the Italian is growing increasingly frustrated about the lack of signings.

Chelsea return to pre-season training on Monday with only back-up keeper Willy Caballero added to the squad, although moves for Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger should be announced shortly.

Conte held positive talks with owner Roman Abramovich a fortnight ago, but Conte has still not signed a new four-year contract worth £9.5m-a-year.

It has also been reported this morning that Conte's back-room staff have yet to be offered extensions on their deals, which expired this summer. Chelsea were not available for comment this morning.

Lukaku's transfer to United hasn't been completed yet, but Standard Sport understands Chelsea were trying to contact the Everton star in Los Angeles, where he is currently on holiday, yesterday in a bid to get him to change his mind but to no avail.

Lukaku has always favoured a moved back to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have been unable to agree a fee with Everton.

One source has revealed that Chelsea's offer was considerably lower than the £75m plus add-ons (of £15m) that United have bid for the 24-year-old.

Everton still maintain that the transfer hasn't been finalised yet, leaving Chelsea with the possibility that they could still come in with a late counter offer.

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But a late U-turn is said to be very unlikely and United have already booked a medical for the forward in the USA so he can join up with them on the pre-season tour.

United have ended their quest to buy Morata, who has been left stunned by the developments.

He was expecting to complete a switch to Old Trafford today before flying out with the squad on Sunday to America.

AFP/Getty Images

The Spain international now wants Chelsea, who were also his first-choice destination, to revive their interest.

Conte is a big admirer of the Spain international and played a major role in him joining Juventus in 2014.

Chelsea tried to buy him last summer, but couldn't agree a fee with Real Madrid. They haven't been in contact over Morata for a few months after prioritising Lukaku, however that could now change.

Conte also likes Torino's Andrea Belotti, who scored 26 goals in Serie A last term, but he has a release clause worth £88m.

The Italian has already earmarked Swansea forward Fernando Llorent as a possible back-up option for the first choice striker.

Another player he admires and who has been on Chelsea's wish-list in the past is Crystal Palace frontman Christian Benteke.

Chelsea are set to refuse Atletico Madrid's first offer worth a mere £22m for striker Diego Costa, who wants to return to Vicente Calderon.

Chelsea are refusing to sell him on the cheap, despite Conte saying he is not part of their plans.

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