Chelsea transfer news: Bonucci in for Matic, Costa to quit
Blues to offer midfielder in exchange for Juventus defender as Spanish striker reveals he is unwanted at Stamford Bridge
Nemanja Matic will be used by Chelsea as a bargaining chip as they sit down with Juventus to discuss a move for Leonardo Bonucci.
According to The Sun, the Italian international's time in Turin "looks to be coming to an end" after another bust-up with Massimiliano Allegri. Apparently Allegri accused the central defender of disobeying instructions during Saturday's Champions League final humiliation at the hands of Real Madrid. As a result, Juve are ready to ditch the defender, particularly as they realise that this summer is their last chance to make some serious money on the 30-year-old.
Initially they had slapped a £60m price tag on Bonucci but the Sun says they will settle for £48m - plus Chelsea's offer of midfielder Matic. Allegri is "a huge fan" of the Serbian and would love to have him at Juventus next season as he knows Matic can be trusted to do what he's told.
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Meanwhile the Sun claims that Chelsea will use the money saved on giving Matic to Juventus by making an offer for Monaco ace, Tiemoue Bakayoko. The 22-year-old has been scouted by Antonio Conte this season and the Premier League champions believe he is a long-term investment who has the skill-set to become a Stamford Bridge legend.
And the Blues could also be about to bank a sizeable sum from the sale of Diego Costa with the Daily Telegraph reporting that the Spanish striker has been told by Conte that he has no future at the Bridge.
Speaking to reporters after Spain's 2-2 draw with Colombia on Wednesday night, Costa said: "I'm a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there. Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that's it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season."
Although Costa has been linked with a lucrative move to China, he said his dream team would be Atletico Madrid but that won't be able to happen until January at the earlies because of the Spanish club's summer transfer embargo. "It would be nice to return to Atletico, but it is difficult to be four, five months without playing," said Costa. "It's a World Cup year and there's a lot to think about. I need to play, that's all."
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