Chelsea’s Antonio Conte eyes raid on Serie A star Diego Laxalt
14 July 2016 - Chelsea Football Club - Antonio Conte unveiling - Newly appointed Chelsea manager Antonio Conte poses on the pitch at Stamford Bridge with a club shirt - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a move for Uruguay international forward Diego Laxalt, according to the Mirror.
The Premier League leaders, who have recorded 11 successive top-flight victories following Saturday’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, are thought to be monitoring the Genoa winger ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
The 23-year-old, who has two international caps for his country after making his Uruguay debut against Venezuela back in October, has scored one goal and provided two assists in 18 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A outfit so far this season.
Laxalt, who joined Genoa on a permanent deal back in July from Italian rivals Inter Milan, could be sold by the club if Blues boss Antonio Conte offers the right price.
Via the Mirror; the winger’s agent, Vincenzo D’Ippolito, claimed the Chelsea manager is a long-term admirer of the Uruguayan, “Genoa believe in him, but they are always open to selling their players for the right offer.
“Conte had been scouting Laxalt when he was in Italy and he’d love to take Laxalt to Chelsea now.”