Reports: Chelsea set to rival Monaco for €86.8 million striker

What's the story?

Chelsea have had a wishy-washy transfer window, haven't they? Despite signing on board Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger, and the impressive Alvaro Morata for a combined €140 million - and Willy Caballero on a free from Manchester City - their squad looks bereft of the kind of depth that is required for a serious domestic and European challenge.

With the almost-concluded sale of Alex Oxlade Chamberlain to Liverpool, that makes for at least two targets that have slipped away from Chelsea - and Antonio Conte is not a happy man. To appease their star coach, Chelsea could be back in the transfer window for a major signing.

Hence, their interest in Torino's sharp shooter Andrea Belotti - who appears to be going from strength to strength with each passing game week. To acquire the services of the Italian, though, they will have to battle Monaco.

The Ligue 1 side are reported to be ready to trigger the striker's release clause and Chelsea will have their work cut out if they are to put up a proper fight on what promises to be a frenetic transfer deadline day.

In case you didn't know

Andrea Belotti is in fine form over the past season and has started this one in the same vein of form:

If that goal doesn't impress you, nothing ever will.

Belotti is the captain of Torino and smashed in 28 goals in 38 games last season, and already has 3 in 3 this time around. Furthermore, in 9 appearances for Italy, he's scored 4.

The heart of the matter

Monaco have started like a house on fair - even without Kylian Mbappe anywhere near their first team - but they are still looking to provide Radamel Falcao with enough support to enable Monaco to mount a serious defence of the title they so surprisingly prised away from Paris Saint-Germain.

Video

Here's the best of the Italian beast -

The lad can play, eh?

Author's Take

With Alvaro Morata starting brilliantly, Antonio Conte could further strengthen his hand with the introduction of the bull-shouldered Belotti. He could then revert to his favoured 3-5-2 formation and any defence would have a difficult time trying to contain that two-man strikeforce.

As for Monaco, the potential sale of Kylian Mbappe would further add to their already large cash reserves; and the question of triggering Belotti's transfer clause would not be beyond them.