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Chelsea transfer news: Antonio Conte to sell Eden Hazard in exchange for Leonardo Bonucci

Juventus want Cesc Fabregas plus record fee for a defender, but Blues boss to offer Italian giants Belgian and less cash

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CHELSEA are stepping up their bid to sign Leonardo Bonucci — by preparing to offer Eden Hazard in exchange.

Antonio Conte has made signing the Italian defender his No 1 priority.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Eden Hazard of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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Antonio Conte could be ready to let Eden Hazard leave Chelsea for JuventusCredit: Getty Images
FLORENCE, ITALY - MARCH 21: Head Coach Antonio Conte (R) and Leonardo Bonucci chat during the Italy training session at the club's training ground at Coverciano on March 21, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
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Antonio Conte is desperate to be re-united with Leonardo Bonucci at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images

And Juventus have intimated they could be ready to part company with Bonucci if the Blues break the world record transfer fee for a defender AND add Cesc Fabregas in exchange.

However, Conte is hoping to lower the costs by including Hazard in any deal.

At just 25, the Belgian is worth much more than Fabregas on the market.

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 02: Leonardo Bonucci of Juventus FC celebrates the decisive penalty during the TIM Cup match between FC Internazionale Milano and Juventus FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 2, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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Leonardo Bonucci would cost Chelsea over £50million plus a star playerCredit: Getty Images
HULL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea reacts to his team scoring during the Premier League match between Hull City and Chelsea at KCOM Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Antonio Conte has not been blown away by Eden Hazard since arriving at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images

He was the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2015 and appeared to have the world at his feet — with Chelsea fighting off interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

But, he endured a disastrous 2015-16 and has since failed to convince Conte of his reliability.

Juventus boss, Max Allegri, however, would rather bring Fabregas to Serie A — as the Spaniard is more suitable to the Bianconeri’s system.


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Juventus have lost superstars like Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba in recent seasons
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Juventus have lost superstars like Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba in recent seasonsCredit: Getty Images

The Italian champions’ midfield has taken a hit in recent years, with Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba all leaving.

Allergi sees Fabregas as the perfect player to sit in front of the defence in either his 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 systems — and the heir to the throne vacated by Pirlo.

While, despite all of his obvious talent, Hazard doesn’t quite suit Juve’s style.

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