Chelsea ready to splash £53million on striker in January to appease Italian tactician

Premier League Champions Chelsea will push ahead with a transfer for Lazio forward Ciro Immobile in the New year to placate manager Antonio Conte according to reports.

Conte was enraged with the club’s transactions in the summer window, which saw the Champions miss out on transfer targets like striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, forward Fernando Llorente, and wing-back Alex Sandro.

Spaniard Alvaro Morata was signed for a club transfer record fee but club have struggled in the Morata’s absence with injury recently and the former Juventus manager more depth in attack.

Ciro Immobile, 27, has scored 17 goals in 17 games for club and national team this League season and has attracted suitors from the far-east.

Italian Serie A side Lazio are thought to have turned down offers of £60million and even more for Immobile from Asia – China but the Italian would prefer to push for a transfer to the Bridge if the Blues are keenly interested, according to the Sun.

The Sun claims Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich have a plan to ensure the tactician stays happy at Stamford Bridge – and it involves bringing in one of his primary transfer targets.

Antonio Conte is a huge fan of Immobile, who he managed during his stint as Italy manager.