Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is reportedly thinking long-term and is preparing a summer move for Sampdoria forward Luis Muriel next year.
The Italian tactician has made a stunning start to life in the Premier League, as after a temporary dip in October, they’ve now won seven consecutive games to march to the top of the table.
His more immediate focus will be on sustaining their current momentum and form with the players at his disposal, and they seem well placed to do so.
Nevertheless, with the need to make key additions to the squad to boost the level of quality at Stamford Bridge, Calciomercato claim that the Blues will make a £24m move for Muriel next summer.
Although the focus for the most part when it comes to Chelsea and the transfer market has been on defenders and midfielders, there is certainly a requirement for Conte to add options in attack.
Diego Costa has been in great form so far this season as the Spaniard is the joint-top goalscorer in the league with 10, but with Michy Batshuayi the only man providing quality depth in that department, a new forward is certainly a sensible target.
Meanwhile, Muriel has been in fine form so far this season for the Blucerchiati, scoring six goals and providing five assists, as he looks to now be delivering on the early promise that he showed in his career with Udinese.
Having dropped off for a while he’s now gaining the confidence and consistency needed to make him a top player, and coupled with the fact that he is versatile, full of pace and will not shy away from the physical side of the game, he seems a perfect fit for Chelsea and for Conte.