Sources close to Fiorentina suggest that Chelsea are preparing a €45 million bid for striker Federico Bernardeschi.

Voices coming out of Tuscany state that La Viola have decided to cash in on the 22-year-old and that only a handful of clubs would be able to afford his price-tag. Blues boss Antonio Conte is a huge admirer of the young Italian international and reports have already linked the Premier League leaders with a move for the player.
 

Although it was thought that Conte was anxious to bring Bernardeschi to England in January, it’s now believed that any deal would not be completed until the summer. With current striker Diego Costa’s future still uncertain, Bernardeschi looks as though he’s the man the Italian tactician has targeted to be a possible replacement.  

Bernardeschi hails from Carrara, the same city as Gianluigi Buffon and has been at Fiorentina since 2003. Coach Paolo Sousa recently stated that the player “deserved to play for a club with more ambition” than his current employer.


Steve Mitchell @barafundler