Report: Chelsea set for £100M splurge on Dembele, Morata, Van Dijk
Antonio Conte's restraint in not adding to his Premier League-leading squad in January is set to be rewarded with £100 million in spending money this summer.
Celtic's rapid forward Moussa Dembele tops Chelsea's wish-list, The Mirror's John Cross reports, and is closely followed by Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who joined Juventus just days after Conte left the club in 2014, and Southampton's cultured centre-half Virgil van Dijk.
Dembele silenced rumours that he was leaving Parkhead with a clever social media retort on Tuesday's deadline day, but is believed to be interested in a shift to Stamford Bridge. Celtic is also open to allowing the 20-year-old "when the time is right," and could receive as much 80 times the £500,000 it paid for him last summer.
Dembele poses a long-term option for the Blues' attack, but there could be a need to promptly replace the potentially China-bound Diego Costa - especially now that plans to offer the controversial striker fresh terms have been shelved.
This is where Morata would come in. The 24-year-old has scored six goals and laid on two assists despite starting just six La Liga matches for Real Madrid, and is a mainstay alongside Costa in the Spain setup. His dribbling ability and versatility would also make him an ideal candidate for Conte's fluid frontline.
Despite boasting the joint-best defence in the division with Tottenham Hotspur, recruitment is also needed there following the sale of Branislav Ivanovic, and question marks surrounding the ability of veterans Gary Cahill and captain John Terry to continue to produce at the highest level.
Van Dijk, 25, has emerged as one of the Premier League's leading centre-halves since transferring to Southampton from Celtic in 2015, often dominating opponents aerially and instigating attacks with sweeping long balls and probing daisy-cutters. On the face of things, he would be an ideal acquisition, but significant competition for his signature could come from Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
Chelsea took a commendable point from Liverpool on Tuesday, and continues its quest for the summit of England football in Saturday's visit from London rival Arsenal.
The Blues currently hold a nine-point cushion over second-placed Tottenham.