Antonio Conte celebrated like a child after his Chelsea side managed to claim the Premier League title after a 1-0 win at the Hawthorns at the weekend. The Blues will now have to plan carefully to improve on the squad if they are to continue this success beyond this season. They still have the FA Cup to play for this season but Conte is already making plans for the next season.
And according to reports today, the Blues hierarchy is now ready to offer Conte a £200m transfer kitty for the summer transfer window. According to reports, Conte wants to bring some star players to the squad to help them compete at the highest level next season and he will have to spend big on most of his transfer target. And Chelsea are ready to help him. £200m is a lot to spend in one summer and here are three players Conte could be on his wish list for the summer:
Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli):
The 25-year Senegalese international has been on the radar of the English club for some time now and it might be the right time for Conte to spend on his this summer. Known for his strength and tackling discipline, Koulibaly is fast growing into one of the best in Europe and has enjoyed a stellar season in Italy. Napoli may yet want to keep him at the club but he is valued at around £48m, making him one of the costliest defenders and Chelsea might be able to land him if they are ready to meet his valuation this summer.
James Rodriguez (Real Madrid):
The Colombian international has faced a tough time at the Bernabeu as he has not been able to cement his place in the first team in the last couple of seasons. He is currently unsettled and wants to quit the Spanish club this summer and is wanted by a number of clubs in England. He has 11 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, playing most games from the bench and Chelsea will have to break the bank to land him this summer.
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid):
With star striker Diego Costa closing in on an exit this summer, Chelsea will need a top class striker to assume the first team duties in the next campaign and Conte has been looking at the French star for some time now. It is assumed that Griezmann could be the first player to join the £100m club if he moves this summer and Chelsea, with their new transfer war chest, can actually think about this signature. If Costa leaves, Conte has very few options better than Griezmann.
