Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has admitted that he is a big fan of both Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez as the January transfer window opens, but said the final decision on signings was out of his hands. The Italian manager has been calling out for more signings at the club following a disappointing summer transfer window, failing to snap up their top targets.
Sanchez, 29, has been nearing the exit at Arsenal, following Arsenal’s inability to match his ambition and has been linked to a reunion with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. However, Chelsea have the option to enter the race to sign Sanchez, whose contract with the Gunners ends in the summer. He is free to discuss personal terms with foreign clubs this month and so we’ll have to wait until the summer to sign Alexis for free.
Reports claim that Conte wanted Chelsea’s hierarchy to sign the Arsenal star in the summer, but the Italian does not play a major role in the club’s transfer negotiations. It has also been claimed that Conte has already contacted Vidal in an attempt to convince the midfielder to join Chelsea from Bayern Munich.
The Chelsea manager admits he would welcome both the Chilean internationals at Stamford Bridge.
“You are talking about two big and strong players, top players for their roles,” Conte was quoted by Metro. Vidal is one of the best in the world, but Sanchez is the same as a striker.”
Conte explained the final say on transfers was out of his hands. The 48-year-old said he advised the club’s hierarchy, but nothing more.
“I think that we must be ready for all and to work on the pitch and also to work on the transfer market but you have to understand what your role is in the club, I’m very focused on the pitch to try to improve my players and the transfer market is for the club,” Conte was quoted in a report by Goal.
“I trust in my club and I’m sure they will take the best decision for the team. In this case, when I tell that I give my opinion to the club, I try to tell where are the roles we can improve also on the numerical aspect because in some roles we don’t have a couple of players.
“Or there is a young player that is not ready to play with the first team. If the club asks me some names I try to do this but then it’s the club, it’s the club that decides the name, the investment, which is the best player for the team.”
Do you think Alexis Sanchez would be a good signing for us?
