The pair are understood to enjoy a strong relationship after working together at Juventus.
Italy head coach Antonio Conte
Incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte could give the Blues an advantage over London rivals Arsenal in the chase for Spanish striker Alvaro Morata this summer, the London Evening Standard has reported.
Conte, who is set to take over at Stamford Bridge following his tenure as Italy boss, convinced Morata to join Juventus from Real Madrid two years ago and the pair are understood to enjoy a good relationship.
Morata returned to the Bernabeu last month after Real activated a buy-back clause in the striker’s contract at Juventus, allowing him to rejoin Los Blancos for around £23.5 million.
However, the Spaniard’s future is far from clear, with Madrid understood to be willing to listen to offers, having slapped a £57 million price tag on the 23-year-old.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal are unwilling to pay that fee, although the Metro claims Madrid could be tempted by an offer closer to £40 million.
That may tempt new Chelsea boss Conte, although the Italian is only willing to enter a bidding war with the North Londoners should current striker Diego Costa force through a move back to Atletico Madrid.
If Chelsea do move ahead of Arsenal in the queue for Morata, it will come as another heavy blow Arsene Wenger’s transfer plans, as he continues his search for a top striker after being snubbed by Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy.
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