Chelsea Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain, Leonardo Bonucci, Antonio Conte Rumours

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will reportedly make the case for the club to spend a staggering £75 million on Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain this summer.

Conte was confirmed as the Blues’ next boss on Monday, and while he won’t take over at Stamford Bridge until after UEFA Euro 2016, according to Andrew Richardson of the Sun, moves are already being plotted for the summer transfer window; Higuain is reportedly high on Conte’s agenda, although he won’t be a cheap acquisition.

"In attack, Conte wants Higuain — and could fund his purchase with the sale of the temperamental Diego Costa," Richardson stated, noting the aforementioned sum is the Argentina international man’s release clause.

"Should [Roman] Abramovich be unwilling to splash out on Europe’s leading marksman, Edinson Cavani and Alvaro Morata would be fall-back options."

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Higuain is enjoying the finest season of his career at the moment, netting a staggering 30 goals in Serie A this term. Here are some of the best of them:

The striker has been sensational for the Naples giants in 2015-16. While he’s always been an impressive No. 9 during his time at the club—and at Real Madrid before that—Higuain has never quite been as consistent as he has this term. Aside from his goals, the 28-year-old’s movement, link-up play and work rate has been exceptional.

His finishing has been ruthless and the numbers he’s produced unmatched for almost a decade, per Squawka Football:

Aside from the strikers, Richardson also stated that Conte is seeking to bolster other areas of his squad, including the centre of his defence. His former player at Juventus, Leonardo Bonucci, is cited as a possible target.

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"The former Juve skipper seemingly feels Chelsea need at least one top central defender — and has made Bonucci his No. 1 target," the report noted. Here is a look at why he’s considered amongst the top centre-backs on the planet:

Chelsea’s defensive issues have cost them dear this season, and it’s clearly a segment of the team that needs a shake-up.

Captain John Terry has been a wonderful servant for the football club, although he’s a faded force and his contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign. Kurt Zouma is a fantastic prospect, although there are question marks over whether either Gary Cahill or Branislav Ivanovic is good enough to be his partner.

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Bonucci definitely is to that standard and is the kind of multifaceted footballer who would thrive alongside Zouma. However, the Juvefc.com Twitter feed does not think the Bianconeri should consider any sale of the Italy international, such is his importance to the side:

Richardson also wrote that Conte will look to bring Paul Pogba to Stamford Bridge from Juventus as he seeks to "revamp the Blues’ midfield." Roma man Radja Nainggolan is also suggested as a target.

A season of major underachievement will inevitably mean there are big changes at Chelsea next term, especially as the new manager seeks to entrench his bespoke style at the football club. As noted by football writer Kristan Heneage, Gazzetta dello Sport thinks the Blues will have a very different look to them next term:

Higuain, should Costa depart, would make Chelsea play a different style of football. The current Blues striker is a battering ram of a forward who bludgeons his way through opposition sides, while the Napoli man is a more scrupulous operator, one who breaks down defences with intelligent play and sharp reactions in the penalty area.

A fee of £75 million is a lot, though. Higuain is evidently at his peak at the moment and one of the very best finishers on the continent.

But for a forward who has never played in English football before and may not have many more years left at the absolute top level, some might argue the money could be spent more sensibly and with a longer-term vision in mind.