Chelsea are weighing up a move for wantaway Everton midfielder Ross Barkley but may have to lock horns with their Premier League rivals, claims the London Evening Standard.
Barkley has entered the final 12 months of his existing deal with Everton and Ronald Koeman confirmed on Thursday that the central midfielder has asked to seek a new challenge this summer.
The England international has already been linked with a move to Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United but Koeman's side will have to re-think their stunning £50m valuation to have any chance of selling their academy graduate.
However, the aforementioned trio could now face stiff competition from the Premier League champions as Conte looks to add up to four new players to his squad ahead of the new season.
Chelsea have already spent more than £130m on new faces this summer but Conte has demanded more signings as they bid to compete in the Premier League and in Europe this season.
With Eden Hazard set to miss the start of the new season through injury and Pedro a doubt after suffering a multiple fractures to his face, attacking personnel is at the top of Conte's demands.
Chelsea are also interested in Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has similarly entered the final 12 months of his existing deal at the Emirates.
Despite enduring a difficult first season under Koeman, Barkley made more key passes than any other English player in the Premier League last season (84).
