Conte wanted to sign 'dangerous' £29m player at Chelsea

Antonio Conte reportedly wanted to sign Adama Traore whilst in charge of Chelsea, five years before trying again with Tottenham Hotspur.

This is according to The Athletic, who claim the Italian coach’s attempts to land Traore span back to 2017.

At that time, Conte was leading Chelsea to their fifth Premier League title, with a squad made up in his own image.

He’d acquired N’Golo Kante, David Luiz and Marcos Alonso over the summer, all players who played a pivotal role in the successful season.

Yet, despite the Blues being top of the pile by Christmas, the current Spurs wanted to bolster his side during the January transfer window.

His wishes were not entirely met, however, as the only incoming that month was Kenedy’s return from a loan spell with Watford.

Failing to increase the team’s depth didn’t damage Chelsea’s league prospects; they remained top from New Year until the final day of the campaign.

But had the manager’s demands been served, Traore would’ve collected a winner’s medal in May.

The Spain international played for Middlesbrough in the period of Conte’s interest, before he became the top flight’s top entertainer.

He was viewed as a potential cover at right wing-back as Victor Moses, the man who rose to fame under the former Blues boss.

“I was told five years ago that Conte wanted to sign him to play that position,” said Aitor Karanke, Traore’s ex-Boro coach.

“Conte was interested and I heard he thought really highly of him and he was thinking about playing him as a right wing-back.”

Fast forward to the present day and Conte’s views remain the same.

Now at the helm of Tottenham, he once more went after Traore’s signature in the latest winter window.

Wolverhampton Wanderers had become accustomed to receiving interest for the jack-of-all-tricks winger who Joe Cole called ‘so dangerous.’

Conte missed out for a second time, as the 26-year-old decided instead to re-join Barcelona on loan with a £29m (Sky Sports) option to buy.

Better luck next time, Antonio!

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Report: Antonio Conte wanted to sign ‘dangerous’ £29m player at Chelsea, he tried again with Tottenham