According to recent reports in Italy, Chelsea have perceived encouraging signs in their pursuit for Serie A forward Federico Bernardeschi. The Fiorentina player has had a long-term admirer in Blues manager Antonio Conte, who now wants to bring the player into the Premier League.
Now, with their brilliant league run coming to an end, a big overhaul is expected with some star players leaving that include their leading scorer Diego Costa. The Spaniard has been turning heads with his strength up the field and brilliant ability to finish, which has spurned the Chinese league to come up with mammoth offers.
And while Conte was successful in holding on to him last transfer window, it is unlikely to happen this time again. The striker, however, has pulled his feet from the pedal, it seems, as Chelsea no more depend on him for scoring. He has scored just three goals in the last 10 games with Chelsea realising that he is not that consistent.
Conte is turning towards Bernardeschi now and with the player willing to wait till summer before extending his contract means, Chelsea have a good shot at landing him. Fiorentina already has him bound to the club till 2019 and being well aware of his amazing goal scoring prowess, they are willing to keep him till 2022 with the new contract, which includes a big pay rise.
A youth product of Fiorentina, the player broke into the starting eleven first in 2013. His young age led him to be loaned off to Crotone, where he got regular time. It was a successful spell as he returned more prolific and since then has scored 22 goals and provided 13 assists in 87 outings for his boyhood club. It has also earned him a national call-up last year in March.
Bernardeschi is just 23 and if there will ever be a time for a big move, it will be now, And with European super giants like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Inter all vying for his signature, a move away from Fiorentina is very likely.
Bernardeschi can provide some of the most sublime through balls and could be lethal from direct free-kicks. Although at 183cm, he doesn’t make a very good aerial player he compensates it by his phenomenal pace on the ball and dribbling attributes.
Reportedly, Chelsea are willing to double his wages if he moves to Stamford Bridge this summer and given his attacking attributes, the 23-year-old could be very exciting prospect alongside Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian.
