Chelsea are set to table a late bid to sign West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna, with reports suggesting that the Italian manager Antonio Conte wants to reunite with his compatriot.
Chelsea has been looking to bolster their defence through the summer and have been linked with a number of players for the same. However, they were not able to add to their defensive reinforcements through the summer. As such Chelsea is close to completing Marcos Alonso’s move to the Bridge from Fiorentina, but they want to add one more defender in the squad.
Ogbonna moved to West Ham United on 10 July 2015 from Juventus on a four-year contract for £10m. The player went on to make his debut during the Europa League, 20 days after moving to the Hammers, wherein he scored his first goal for the club. A strong and powerful central defender the player has impressed with his form at the club level as well as in the International matches for Italy. Due to his pace, technique, vision and distribution with his left foot, he is also capable of playing as a left-back.
Conte has worked with the player during their time together in Juventus and during the European Championship for the Italian side this past summer. The Italian manager is a huge fan of the player and is keen on signing him before the deadline.
Chelsea linked with other defenders
Further, Chelsea have also been linked with ex-Chelsea player David Luiz, who moved to Paris Saint-Germain in a £50m deal in 2014, although, if reports are to be believed then, the 28-year-old Italian defender is the favorite to join the Blues this summer.
Luiz will be a costlier signing compared to Ogbonna as the latter moved to West Ham on a deal worth £10m and although Chelsea’s bid is undisclosed, it is not expected to be as high as the €32m that PSG are demanding for Luiz. As such the Blues believe Ogbonna to be a more realistic choice, however, if they fail to sign the Italian they will turn to their former player.
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With just a few hours before the close of the transfer window the Blues are desperate to sign a defender and Ogbonna will be their best choice. Known for his outstanding physical attributes the player can provide ample of cover for John Terry and Gary Cahill and will be a good addition to bolster Chelsea’s defensive side.
