AC Milan right back Andrea Conti has confirmed that Chelsea were interested in signing him in the summer.
At the time, the 23 year old was playing for Atalanta, but he signed for the Rossoneri in a €25m deal back in July, turning down the chance to sign for the Blues, Milan’s city rivals Inter and Serie A leaders Napoli. The Italian told the Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Tuttomercatoweb):
“My agent told me something about Napoli, with Chelsea there was something but the real alternative was Inter. Milan’s interest was [there] and I decided: I liked the idea of the new cycle.”
Conti may now be regretting his choice. Both Inter and Napoli are well ahead of AC Milan in the Serie A table, and he is currently out injured with a serious knee injury he sustained in the opening stages of the season.
Chelsea eventually turned their attentions to Conti’s compatriot, Davide Zappacosta, who signed from Torino for €25m on deadline day back in August. The Italian has so far made a good impression at Stamford Bridge having started the last two league games.