Report: Conte identifies Cavani, Icardi as Chelsea transfer targets

Italy manager Antonio Conte, widely dubbed as Chelsea's next manager, has apparently identified his first targets in the summer transfer market, with Edinson Cavani and Mauro Icardi topping his wish list.

The former Juventus boss is expected to enter a final round of talks with Blues' owner Roman Abramovich later this week, according to Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard, for what would be a three-year deal worth between £14.3 million and £18.9 million.

Chelsea has explored other options to take the helm, most notably Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino, Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone, and Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri, but Conte has emerged as the frontrunner.

Should the 46-year-old take over, he will have to face the unrelenting talk of club top scorer Diego Costa wanting a return to Atletico. The futures of Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao, and loanee Alexandre Pato all appear to be away from Stamford Bridge, too.

Therefore, up front is one of the first positions Conte would like to address. Cavani has seen his opportunities at Paris Saint-Germain limited this term with Zlatan Ibrahimovic complemented in a solitary striking role by a wealth of attacking players across the midfield. Icardi's predicament is a different story: He is still performing in the black and blue of Inter Milan but has a fractious relationship with manager Roberto Mancini. At 23, six years Cavani's junior, the latter would offer a more long-term option and has been eyed by Chelsea in the past.

In the meantime, Costa is expected to return to the lineup for the London outfit's visit of PSG on Wednesday. Interim boss Guus Hiddink's side has to overturn a 2-1 deficit in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg due to Cavani's winner on Feb. 16.