Transfer Centre

Antonio Conte remains tight-lipped on Edin Dzeko speculation

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 25 January 2018

Antonio Conte insists that defeat to Arsenal will not speed up Chelsea's transfer activity, as he refuses to comment on links to Roma striker Edin Dzeko.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has refused to comment on speculation that his side are close to agreeing a deal with Roma for Edin Dzeko.

The Blues' search for a tall striker has seen them turn to the Bosnia-Herzegovina international, who boasts Premier League experience following his time at Manchester City.

Roma director Monchi revealed on Wednesday night that the offers tabled by Chelsea so far are wide of the mark, but reports in Italy suggest that the English champions are still confident of getting a transfer over the line.

Speaking in the aftermath of Chelsea's EFL Cup exit at the hands of London rivals Arsenal, Conte hinted that he is keen to see more arrivals this month but will leave it to the club to decide.

"As you know very well I don't like to speak about the transfer market," he told reporters. "For this issue and topic there is the club. The club decide our transfer market. As I said before my task is to improve the team, my players, to make the best decision for the game and rotate and find the right balance in every game.

"I don't have a big impact on the transfer market. At the same time my task is to try to take the best of my players. But in the transfer market, from the summer there is the club and they decide for every single player that comes here.

"I think that one game is not right to take the decision or understand something. There is a programme and a plan, it is wrong if we make decisions from only one game. The situation is the same from the summer. I repeat I continue to work, I am happy to work with my players.

"This situation is from the summer, not now. I repeat I try to give everything for the club, but about the transfer market there is the club. The club have to take the best decision for the team and take responsibility."

Chelsea have also been strongly linked with Dzeko's teammate Emerson Palmieri, who is understood to be valued at the £20m mark.