Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Stars Eyed Ahead of Antonio Conte Arrival

The next Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has reportedly given the green light to the club to sell goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois this summer.

That’s according to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror, who has reported the Belgium international has "indicated to Conte he wants to leave the Bridge," and as such, they are "willing to offload the keeper if the club receive a reasonable offer."

Kajumba has claimed while the Blues previously put a £73 million valuation on Courtois, they are willing to lower that amount, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain said to be interested. Southampton’s Fraser Forster is touted as a possible replacement.

Liam Twomey of Football Insider doesn’t feel as though the England international is good enough to replace the Chelsea man:

While a massive offer will always make a club consider selling its star assets, for the Blues to actively want to move the player on would be peculiar.

Granted, Courtois may not be having the best season with Chelsea struggling in mid-table. However, he’s often been let down by poor defending, and in the three campaigns prior to this one—one with Chelsea and two with Atletico Madrid—he has proven his mettle as a goalkeeper, winning the league title on two occasions.

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Despite his undoubted quality, HLN’s Kristof Terreur is unsure whether any club would be willing to meet Chelsea’s valuation for the goalkeeper:

The goalkeeping position is arguably the most important in the team, and during Chelsea’s successful 2014-15, the assurance of Courtois surged through the rest of the team. With him in and out of the side this term, his form has suffered, as has the side’s.

Still, there are few finer goalkeepers in world football to build a long-term plan around, as the 23-year-old, for all his natural talent, will only get better. Conte may well want his own man between the sticks, but letting Courtois go in the window would be a big error.

Blues in Battle for Kostas Manolas

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Arsenal are poised to rival Chelsea for the signing of Roma defender Kostas Manolas, according to reports.

Chris Wheatley of Goal has reported the Gunners have made the Greece international their "top defensive target this summer." As well as the Blues, Manchester United and Everton are also noted as possible suitors for the centre-back.

With John Terry’s contract at Stamford Bridge set to expire come the end of the campaign, the Blues will need an authoritative presence at the back. Here is why the 24-year-old would fit the bill:

Manolas has made major strides as a centre-back since joining Roma and, in a division of excellent defenders, is now considered among the very best in Serie A.

While he’s no slouch in possession, it’s evident watching the Giallorossi star that he’s a player who loves defending. Manolas has an appetite for physical battles—in which he very rarely comes off second best—loves a tackle and has sharp instincts in the penalty area, able to read danger and shut down attacks.

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Even so, Bleacher Report’s Garry Hayes thinks it’s important the Blues keep Terry on board beyond this summer:

Arsenal’s defensive set-up has long been a worry, and as such, it would be easy to see why they would target Manolas. They would also be able to offer the Roma man European football next season, something the Blues will be without.

If Terry does depart, Chelsea would be able to provide Manolas greater guarantees when it comes to first-team football. Working under Conte, who assembled one of the finest defences in the game during his time as Juventus manager, is something that would also surely appeal to the player.