Chelsea ‘make offer’ for Southampton right-back Cedric Soares as Antonio Conte looks to gazump Barcelona and Juventus
Italian keen to add new faces to Blues squad after disappointing pre-season was followed by defeat in opener
CHELSEA have made a bid for Cedric Soares, according to reports in Italy.
The Portugal right-back is one of a number of talented Southampton stars, which have become a target for elite European clubs.
Barcelona and Juventus have kept a keen on eye on the 25-year-old — and report Chelsea have made an opening offer.
Soares, who was part of Portugal’s triumphant squad at Euro 2016, has a contract at St Mary’s until 2020 and has seen his stock sky-rocket in England.
Antonio Conte is desperate to bring in new blood as a poor pre-season was followed by a shock, opening-day defeat to Burnley.
And a new right-back is among his biggest priorities.
And the movement in-and-out of the club is still expected this summer.
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Chelsea are also keen on Dutch centre-back Virgil Van Dijk , who has handed in a transfer request.
Soares joined the Saints from Sporting Lisbon for around £4.7million in 2015 and has been a regular on the South Coast.
They will expect to make a huge profit should he leave the club this summer.