Chelsea boss Antonio Conte interested in Genoa midfielder Diego Laxalt?

The agent of Genoa midfielder Diego Laxalt has claimed that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is interested in signing his client.

Laxalt, who joined Genoa from Inter Milan in 2015, has played in 15 matches for the Serie A club this season.

The Uruguayan would provide competition for Marcos Alonso, who is the only first-team player in the left wing-back role.

Laxalt's agent Vincenzo D'Ippolito has claimed that his client has attracted plenty of interest, some of which comes from Stamford Bridge.

"Genoa believe in him, but they are always open to selling their players for the right offer," D'Ippolito told Calciomercato. "He's not going to leave in January, but the club will definitely listen to offers at the end of the season.

"There are many clubs that have been scouting him. Fiorentina have been watching him for a very long time, they also wanted to sign him last summer, but there are also requests from the Premier League.

"Conte had been scouting Laxalt when he was in Italy and he'd love to take Laxalt to Chelsea now."

Chelsea currently sit at the top of the Premier League table with a six-point lead after 16 games.