Andrea Conti has emerged (talkSPORT) as one of the transfer targets for Premier league giants Liverpool and Chelsea. However, Jurgen Klopp is facing a huge competition in order to sign the player, especially considering that a number of top European clubs have also entered the race for the Atalanta defender, according to his agent. The 23-year-old has caught the attention following a brilliant campaign with Atalanta. His agent, Mario Giuffredi, says that any interested club will have to fight for the player’s signature, while his client would also find it extremely hard to turn down an offer from AC Milan.
Milan’s representatives are said to have met with Atlanta’s club hierarchy recently, but the reasons for the meeting is still unknown.
Giuffredi told PianetaMilan.it (h/t Inside Futbol):
“I know there was a meeting, but I don’t know what they talked about.
“I don’t know whether they talked about Conti and as long as I don’t receive an official call from Milan, I cannot say anything.”
Asked if he has been contacted by AC Milan, he said: “Absolutely not.”
Conti’s agent added: “Who can refuse Milan? Only a fool would.”
Liverpool have been having a long-standing interest on the 23-year-old, who has sparkled for Atalanta just like a number of other players at the club. After having just secured a return back to Champions League football, Liverpool were hoping to move the player to Anfield. Now, the task has been made much more difficult by the entry of AC Milan into the picture. Chelsea were hoping to take advantage of Italian manager Antonio Conte’s presence at Stamford Bridge by luring the player to West London. However, even that has now become difficult following the entry of Milan.
After undergoing an ownership change a few months ago, the Italians are reportedly set to spend big in the summer transfer window in order to return to their glory days. While several doubts about manager Vincenzo Montella continue to persist, the prospect of playing at the San Siro on a regular basis is a huge pull for any player based in the Italian Serie A. It is not surprising that Conti’s agent has also spoken about the same.
Andrea Conti joined Atalanta as a youth player and has come up through the ranks at the club. After spending time on loan spells at Perugia and Virtus Lanciano, he has been able to make a name for himself in the first-team. The right back has contributed a whopping eight goals and four assists in 32 league appearances this season. As a result, his transfer value has shot quite rapidly in the last few months. Atalanta were aware that they had a special player on their hands, and this prompted the club to offer the player a new contract a year ago. Conti’s contract runs out only in the summer of 2021, thus putting the Italian outfit in a strong position with regard to demanding any transfer fees for the 23-year-old.
Conti can also play as a right-sided midfielder.
