Morata(right) might be heading to Chelsea
Antonio Conte will be in the ‘driving seat’ when it comes to transfers at Chelsea this summer.
And signing a top-class striker is a priority with Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata believed to be the Italian manager’s No 1 target.
Chelsea have a long-standing interest in Morata, who they wanted last summer. Madrid were unwilling to sell at the time but Conte is likely to go back for the one he missed out on.
The west London club’s director Marina Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emenalo currently oversee transfers and will still be heavily involved.
But Sportsmail has been told that Conte will have the chief say on summer signings.
Prioritising Morata would make Romelu Lukaku a Plan B. Everton are bracing themselves for enquiries on their striker this summer after he turned down a new £110,000-a-week deal at Goodison Park.
Chelsea are preparing for the Premier League run-in as they currently sit 10 points clear at the top of the table.
Diego Costa has helped them towards the title with 17 goals and Chelsea will speak to the striker once the season is over to sort out his future.
It comes after the club’s top scorer invited transfer speculation over the international break by speaking about almost moving to Atletico Madrid and the possibility of playing in China.
He also refused to rule out a move to Ligue 1 as he talked up Marseille, Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea aren’t taking much notice of those interviews given to Spanish and French media, however, but will speak to the striker at the start of the summer.
Daily Mail
