Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has now asked for a £200million summer transfer budget as they are now set to return to Champions League, according to FootTheBall sources.
After taking charge at Stamford Bridge in the summer Antonio Conte has found the perfect balance with his 3-4-3 formation and has guided Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table and into the semi-final of FA Cup.
However, it has not stopped the Italian from searching the market for more reinforcements ahead of their Champions League return next season.
And now FootTheBall sources have revealed that the former Juventus manager is desperate to secure the transfer budget before he signs a new deal with Chelsea.
Blues superstars Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois have now been linked with moves to China and Real Madrid and Conte is now keen on searching the market for replacements.
Manchester City ace Sergio Aguero is not happy with life under Guardiola after the arrival of Gabriel Jesus and he has been benched on a number of occasions.
And now the Argentine icon has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as Costa has been under the radar of cash-rich Chinese Super League. The Spaniard has also seen mega-money offers coming his way from the Far East.
Romelu Lukaku has also been linked with a move back to his former club after he reversed his decision to sign a new deal at Everton.
Earlier in December, the Belgian striker’s agent Mino Raiola had claimed that he was 99.9999 per cent sure that Lukaku would agree terms over a new deal with the Toffees.
Lukaku’s anticipated new deal at the Goodison Park could go up to something more than £100,000-a-week but the Belgian is aware that he can pocket more cash elsewhere.
And it is believed that a return to his former side could be possible as the Chelsea hierarchy are looking forward to bolster their attack before they take on the Europe’s elite.
Conte is also at loggerheads with Arsenal as he is looking forward to rope in Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard.
Lingard has the potential to play both as a wing-back and as a forward in Conte’s 3-4-3 formation.
The Red Devils youngster has one season left on his Man Utd deal and the big clubs are already interested in securing his services.