Transfer Centre

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: 'Edin Dzeko transfer unlikely'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 30 January 2018

Antonio Conte accepts "the reality" of Chelsea's position in the transfer window, as he plays down talk of a deadline-day deal for Roma striker Edin Dzeko.

Antonio Conte has conceded that Chelsea are unlikely to bring in top striking target Edin Dzeko from Roma as an agreement could not be reached.

The Premier League champions' search for a new targetman has become increasingly desperate this month, seeing them turn to a number of possible options.

Dzeko emerged as a realistic target last week, though, and the Blues made contact with Roma over a £26m transfer - significantly short of the amount the Italian outfit were holding out for.

Roma chief executive Umberto Gandini revealed on Monday morning that there is still a chance of the two sides shaking hands, but Conte now expects to make do with his current group.

"He's Roma's player and I think that he will continue to be Roma's player," he told reporters at Tuesday's presser ahead of the visit of Bournemouth. "I can hope [for] everything, but the most important thing is the reality.

"Now the reality is this, and I have to prepare the game in the right way with these players. I'm very happy to do this. I always say that I will be happy in both cases, if the club decides to add players, but otherwise I'm happy to continue to work with these players because they show me great behaviours, great commitment."

Conte will be without first-choice striker Alvaro Morata once again when Bournemouth travel to Stamford Bridge, opening the door for Michy Batshuayi to feature.