Conte prepared to spend £140m on trio

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is ready to splash the cash on three transfer targets before the window shuts at the end of August.

Reports in the Daily Express are suggesting that the Italian is not giving up on his attempts to sign Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Everton forward Romelu Lukaku, despite growing frustrations with both deals.

The Blues have already had a £57million bid for Lukaku rejected, with some reports suggesting Everton will demand a fee in the region of £75million for the 23-year-old.

The report also speculates that Koulibaly, who is reportedly keen on a move to Chelsea, is still valued at £50million by Napoli who are standing firm on the defender’s valuation after rejecting a £42million bid from the Blues.

And the Evening Standard have reported that the Serie A side have made a last gasp attempt to keep the Senegal international at the club, offering him a new deal that includes a “verbal agreement” that he will be sold next year should the right offer come along.

19-year-old Santos midfielder Thiago Maia is also a target for Conte, after the Brazilian impressed playing for his country at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The Chelsea boss is reportedly lining up a £15million move for the midfielder when his Olympic campaign comes to an end.