Chelsea are reportedly set to rival Sevilla in the race to sign highly rated Italian right-back Andrea Conti, who is currently under contract at Atalanta.

Italian publication Gazza Mercato have claimed that Chelsea are interested in Atalanta right-back Andrea Conti. The highly-rated Italian has been on Sevilla’s radar for quite a while and it seems Antonio Conte and his men are also keeping an eye on the progress of the young defender.

Born in Lecco, Italy, Andrea Conti has gone through his early paces at Atalanta itself, progressing through the academy ranks at the club before making his senior debut for the Serie A outfit. The 22-year-old has now successfully established himself as the first-choice right-back for La Dea this season.

Andrea Conti has featured in all but three of 21 Serie A matches this season for Atalanta, with a credible return of 2 goals and 2 assists. Although, the 22-year-old, who is a natural right-back, has played all his Serie A matches as a right midfielder for Atalanta.

Conti’s ability to play on the right midfield while being a natural right-back does signify that the player would be a perfect fit for the right wing-back role, something which will definitely pique the interest of Chelsea and their manager Antonio Conte, with Victor Moses the only viable option at the aforementioned position in their squad right now.

A crucial cog in Atalanta's successful season so far. (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images)
A crucial cog in Atalanta’s successful season so far. (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

The player has been scouted several times by Chelsea and Sevilla as both eye a swoop for the 22-year-old Italian Under-21 international, as per the report. Sevilla have the likes of Mariano, 30 and Gabriel Mercado, 29 as their current options for the right side of the defence.

Jorge Sampaoli has his Sevilla side challenging for the La Liga Santander this season alongside the heavyweight trio of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona with a Champions League qualification almost a certainty at this point of time.

In such a scenario, the Argentine would want to shore up his defence and depth in some areas to brace themselves for the coming season. A January transfer may be out of Chelsea and Sevilla’s reach, though, with Atalanta flying in the league this season as they find themselves sixth on the Serie A table.

La Dea would look to secure European football by the end of the season and are unlikely to part with their prized asset in the middle of the season. The player is currently valued at around €15 million by the club, as per the report, but the valuation could be inflated by the end of the season, depending on his displays.

Chelsea do need a right wing-back in the summer at least, if not now. And, Conte’s Italian connections could just sway Conti over to Stamford Bridge.

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