'So, what's the matter with you?' would sing Oasis to mister Antonio Conte, reading the newspapers today. I can reveal the straw that broke the camel's back was the bid rejected by Napoli for their centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly...
Conte is reported to be very disappointed from the lack of new arrivals at Chelsea and the ostensible immobilism of his club in the transfer market.
My insiders tell me that today or tomorrow Conte and Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich will have a meeting together in order to speak about this quarrel: the Italian manager will ask to have signed as soon as possible Romelu Lukaku and to get rid of Diego Costa; if not, he will tell the president that he could leave the club.
It sounds like an ultimatum... because it is.
CONTE AND ABRAMOVICH AT LOGGERHEADS
Conte has been disappointed. Even for the veto given by Abramovich over the purchase of Leonardo Bonucci, of Juventus, his first choice for the centre-back role: too old, Abramovich argues. He wants younger players for his new Chelsea.
The feeling is that their relationship will go on, but Conte wants to raise his voice in order not to seem too docile and compliant with the decisions of the club's ownership. He wants important players, he wants a club competitive enough to fight to win the next Champions League.
WEST HAM TO CHOOSE NEW STRIKER
On another side of London, West Ham are looking around for a new important centre-forward. Two names are on their list, and one of these will be their next number nine, in order to raise hopes and ambitions. The first one is Olivier Giroud, who (as told in my last column) is on the Arsenal's transfer list; the second is Daniel Sturridge from Liverpool.
WALSH IN MADUNINA
Everton are the real players these days in the transfer market: after the purchases of Davy Klaassen and Jordan Pickford (the most expensive goalkeeper in Premier League history), today or tomorrow M'Baye Niang from AC Milan will have a medical and become their next new striker.
And the deals with Italian teams and, in particular, from the clubs of the city of Milan, are not over. Steve Walsh, Everton's football director, is in the city of Madunina in order to make important negotiations: six players are involved, three from each side.
Walsh, in particular, is speaking with Inter about Ever Banega, Jeison Murillo and Marcelo Brozovic; with Milan the players at the centre of talks are Carlos Bacca and Gianluca Lapadula, having sealed the deal for Niang.
AUBA AND ARSENAL
At the end of the column, let's talk about Arsenal: after the purchase (almost done) of Alvaro Morata by Manchester United, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still at the centre of the rumour mill.
Milan and PSG are both interested in him and there's even the option he could decide to stay in Dortmund. But Arsenal have the idea of making a play for the Gabonese striker; let's see if they will submit a bid.
If can take him (or another big name) they will sell Alexis Sanchez. A new option for the Chilean fantasy player: Inter.
