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Chelsea are in the thick of things for the past month or so. Be it their struggling form, Antonio Conte's power struggle with the board or the club's transfer targets, Chelsea have always been in the news since the turn of the year.
Despite the winter window's conclusion, Chelsea are reportedly still active in the transfer market with the future of their manager and a number of their superstars still being under the shadows of uncertainty. On that note, let's take a look at all the latest transfer news and rumours involving Chelsea Football Club which made headlines on February 11th, 2018:
Real Madrid's star duo could join Chelsea
In a sensational claim by Spanish outlet Diario Gol, it has been reported that the Real Madrid duo of Isco and Marco Asensio are ready to quit the club in the summer. Los Blancos have struggled extensively this season, their league and domestic cup form proving the notion right.
Despite the club's struggles, Isco and Asensio have both failed to land a starting berth this campaign with Zinedine Zidane mostly trusting the trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale when fit.
Zidane has shown unwavering support to the trio and hence, Isco and Asensio are ready to change loyalties if the Frenchman is in charge of the team for the next season.
The duo has been on the radar of Chelsea for a long time and are allegedly ready to commit if a substantial offer is made. It is also a high possibility that Real Madrid would go all guns blazing for Eden Hazard in the summer which will make chances of playing time even more difficult for the likes of Asensio and Isco.
Chelsea willing to pounce on Samuel Umtiti
Samuel Umtiti has been one of the best performers for FC Barcelona this campaign. His solid displays have not gone unnoticed with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea taking note of his progress at the Nou Camp.
According to certain reports from Sport, Barcelona are reportedly working on offering Umtiti a new deal - their no.1 priority at the moment, with the Frenchman supposedly tied to a €60 release clause - which could be bumped up to a whopping figure of €200 million.
Don Balon adds that Chelsea are in the know about Umtiti's situation and are ready to pounce on the central defender. Umtiti currently earns €3 million per year with the Spanish side, and Chelsea are allegedly ready to triple that if he decides to come on board, after his release clause is activated.
But Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is adamant that Umtiti will sign an extension with the club which will include a high release clause.
Valverde was quoted by The Daily Star as saying, "Umtiti is a great player and we expect him to stay at Barca for many more years and for him to enjoy his football with us. To an extent, the buyout clause is made high so that you can't buy the player. We're very happy with Umtiti and I'm sure he's going to stay here for a very long time."
Blues want Antonio Conte to leave by mutual consent
The Telegraph reports that it is a matter of time before Antonio Conte does get his marching orders from Chelsea's hierarchy. The club reportedly wants a hassle-free partition with the manager and has hoped that Conte will leave by mutual consent in the summer with 12 months still remaining on his contract.
The situation has become toxic at Stamford Bridge at the moment with the manager and the board not being on the same page since the summer.
Conte's incessant calls for transfer funds and subsequent complaints about not getting his desired targets has not gone well with the top brass who want him gone in the summer. Luis Enrique and Massimiliano Allegri are believed to top the list of replacements for the Italian.
Meanwhile, in his press conference ahead of Monday's fixture against West Bromwich Albion, Conte has suggested that it would be 'stupid' of Chelsea to sack him in the summer, as per the same report. Blow by blow, Conte seems to be digging his own grave at Stamford Bridge.
