Serie A side Juventus are keen on roping in out-of-favour Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic on a free transfer next summer if struggling Stephan Lichtsteiner makes a move away from the Italian giants.
The Chelsea star has gone down the pecking order under new boss Conte as he failed to step up his form after a disappointing 2015-16 season.
After defeats against big-guns Liverpool and Arsenal, Conte has now brought things under control with his 3-4-3 system at Chelsea. Chelsea have now won all their last six matches after a series of brilliant performances and have reached the top spot in the Premier League table after 12 games.
The Chelsea defence have proved their mettle and earned clean sheets in all their last six wins and now it seems that the newly implemented 3-4-3 system has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta have cleary adapted to the new 3-4-3 system and now are Conte’s favourites for the back-three spots.
Ivanovic currently pockets a wage packet of £65,000-a-week at Chelsea.
Sources claim that Juventus are willing to offer Ivanovic a three-year deal worth £41,000-a-week. Lack of game time can convince the 32-year-old defender to take a pay cut and switch to the Serie A giants.
Lichtsteiner has also gone down the pecking order at Juventus after the arrival of star defender Dani Alves from Barcelona this summer.
And now it is believed that Barcelona are in search of an experienced right-back and are willing to make a move to capture the services of Lichtsteiner.
Foottheball sources claim that if the Lichtsteiner opts to leave Juventus then Allegri would rope in Ivanovic to fill the void.
Conte was hugely successful at Juventus with his 3-4-3 system and Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli has maintained their solid form at the back even after Conte’s departure.
But a series of injuries have dismantled the back-line at Juventus this season and it is believed that Allegri would look to sign Ivanovic in order to bolster the squad.
Meanwhile, Conte has also set eyes on Bonucci as his main transfer target despite his former club Juventus unwilling to sell their star player.
Conte wants to maintain a good bond with Juventus. The Serie giants had earlier roped in Juan Cuadrado on loan and are now eager to sign Cesc Fabregas.