Chelsea round-up: Striker approach rejected; Juventus turn down Sandro bid; Willian fears over future

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Chelsea have had an approach for Torino forward Andrea Belotti rejected by the Serie A club, according to Turin based newspaper Tuttosport. The report indicates that the Blues suggested a fee in the region of £63 million, but the Italian side responded insisting that the release clause of £88 million must be paid to sign the striker.

Belotti was prolific last season and was linked with a host of top European clubs earlier this summer. Now, it seems likely that he will be staying with Torino unless Chelsea up the ante and produce a huge bid in the final fortnight of the window. Given their reluctance to spend big on players like Alex Sandro, that seems unlikely.

However, it may be that Chelsea are not to blame for their transfer woes. The Mirror say that Juventus have rejected another bid for Alex Sandro worth a fee in the region of £63 million. The Brazilian has been a target for Antonio Conte and co. throughout the summer but seems no closer to Stamford Bridge.

The wing-back would provide depth on the left and could compete with Marcos Alonso. The position has clearly been high on the list of priorities this summer, but they have had no luck in their approach to Juventus. Conte’s former club clearly have no intention of selling and the Blues may now be forced to consider alternatives.

In other concerning news, the Daily Mail believe that Willian is concerned that he could follow in the footsteps of Diego Costa in being frozen out at Chelsea. The report cites sources close to the dressing room and says that the Brazilian does not share the greatest of relationships with manager Antonio Conte.

Willian was the club’s player of the year in 2015/16 but was dropped from the starting line-up by the manager last season. The Italian preferred Pedro on the right flank and Eden Hazard on the left as part of a front three. He has started the season as first choice due to injuries to both first choice wingers.