Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is eager to bolster up his ranks during the winter transfer window and the Italian is plotting a move for Genoa’s Diego Laxalt. With Brazilian midfielder Oscar moving to the Chinese Super League in January, Conte is in search of a replacement for the 25-year-old and Laxalt is one of the players on his wish list.
The Uruguayan international is a versatile midfielder who can play on the left or in the centre and he has been an indispensable part of the Genoa first team this season as Laxalt has made 18 appearances for his side registering one goal and two assists.
The 23-year-old learned his trade in the youth academy of Uruguayan club Defensor Sporting before moving to Serie A giants Inter Milan in 2013 for £2 million. However, Laxalt didn’t make even a single appearance for the Nerazzurri as he was loaned out be Bologna, Empoli and Genoa and in the 2016 summer transfer window, he made his permanent move to the Ligurian capital.
Laxalt is labelled as one of the bright prospects of the Italian top flight and Chelsea are keen to lure him to Stamford Bridge but the Blues face competition from bitter Premier League rivals Arsenal who have also set sights on the Uruguayan.
Laxalt’s agent, Vincenzo D'Ippolito is wary of Chelsea’s interest but he suggested that the 23-year old will not leave Ivan Juri’s side next month.
“Genoa believe in him, but they are always open to selling their players for the right offer,” he 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."
Laxalt is used to playing in the left-wing back role and his purchase would provide some competition to summer signing Marcos Alonso. The Blues are also pursuing the signature of Paris Saint Germain’s Marco Verratti and are linked with making a £30 million move.
Conte’s side are currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League table having won 11 consecutive games and they next take on Bournemouth on Boxing day.Diego Laxalt.
