Chelsea Transfer News: Alexandre Pato, Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Conte Rumours

Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to keep striker Alexandre Pato and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for next season, despite both players enduring tough times at Stamford Bridge during this campaign. 

The Daily Star's David Woods reported Conte has already made it clear he wants to keep the pair in the fold:

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The new Blues manager, who will take charge after leading Italy at Euro 2016, has told the Brazilian he has a future at Stamford Bridge. ... Meanwhile, Conte is also understood to be also keen for keeper Thibaut Courtois to stay as his No.1 keeper. ... The 23-year-old reportedly wants to return to Spain one day, where he spent three seasons with Atletico Madrid, on loan from Chelsea.

Real Madrid have been keeping tabs on Courtois, but the Blues have told them they would want a staggering £73m to sell.

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Woods also noted Corinthians loanee Pato may need to be signed to a permanent deal to feature for the Blues after this season. But justifying such a signing would be tough considering how little the South American attacker has featured since arriving at Stamford Bridge during the winter transfer window.

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In fact, Pato has played so little, one start and an appearance off the bench in the Premier League, per ESPN FC, he's become a figure of mockery among supporters of other clubs.

A website dubbed "Has Alexandre Pato played for Chelsea" has even been launched, according to Uche Amako of the Daily Express. Yet, despite the lack of minutes, Pato remains keen on staying in west London.

His agent, Kia Joorabchian, recently made that clear, per Goal.com's Nizaar Kinsella: “He loves the Premier League and wants to stay here if Chelsea want to keep him."

There's little doubt Conte's new-look squad will need an extra striker or two. Regular starter Diego Costa can be prolific, provided he avoids injury and lapses in discipline.

Costa's problems are brought into sharper focus when you consider the lack of quality cover behind him. Bertrand Traore has potential, but the 20-year-old remains raw. Meanwhile, Loic Remy seems permanently out of favour.

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If Pato can use the remainder of this season to prove he can adapt quickly to England's top flight, his pace and experience will indeed be assets worth keeping for next season.

There's also no denying how Courtois on form is a goalkeeper any team would want. But the Belgian stopper hasn't always been at his best during a tough season.

This has prompted Conte to make a specific demand of the 23-year-old and of backup stopper Asmir Begovic, according to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph: "He informed both players that he wanted total commitment from his players, but Courtois and Begovic are playing waiting games over their futures for very different reasons."

But despite the massive asking price Chelsea would demand from Real Madrid, Law also noted how Los Blancos won't be deterred from bidding if they can bring ex-Blues chief Jose Mourinho back to the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Courtois is worth keeping provided the former Atletico Madrid loan star is really committed to life in England.

Conte has a lot to fix when he finally takes over for Guus Hiddink, namely refreshing an ageing defence and adding some quality and consistency at the attacking midfield positions. It would be a major boost if he's still able to count on a quality 'keeper and a capable striker.