Chelsea transfer news: Italian teenage sensation Sandro Tonali is top target but Blues face £20million fight with Juventus
Midfielder Tonali, 18, has been outstanding for Serie B side Brescia this season and is dubbed the new Pirlo
Posted Saturday, October 27, 2018 by Thesun.co.uk
Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali is at the heart of a transfer fight between Chelsea and Juventus
Chelsea and Juventus fight for Italian teenage sensation
ITALIAN champions Juventus are convinced they are winning the race with Chelsea to sign teenage star Sandro Tonali, dubbed 'the new Andrea Pirlo'.
According to reports in Italy, the 18-year-old midfielder has attracted the interest of Juventus and the Old Lady of Turin is confident they are leading the chase to sign him in January.
Tonali has lit up Serie B with his performances and Juventus, Roma, Inter and AC Milan are all chasing his signature.
Sarri is a long-term admirer and wanted Tonali at Napoli a year ago, but he faces a fight to sign the prodigy as Juventus believe they have jumped to the front of the queue in January.
Sarri sent his scouts to watch the talented youngster during recently, and would have received rave reviews as Tonali set up two goals in Brescia's 4-1 thrashing of Padova.
Tonali, valued at around £20million, is a composed playmaker with a sharp turn of pace and has impressed experts with his maturity for such a young age.
He on course for full international call-up soon having already starred for Italy's Under-19s.
Tonali's playing style has been likened to that of Italian legend Pirlo, who retired in 2017 having won 116 caps and the World Cup for Italy.
Pirlo also came through the youth ranks at Brescia, although he later spent the majority of his club career at AC Milan.
Sarri's Chelsea scouts are also scouring Serie A for a new striker after the club's hierarchy decided to strengthen the forward line having lost patience with record signing Alvaro Morata who is struggling for goals.
Inter Milan's Argentine hitman Mauro Icardi tops the wanted list but the 25-year-old would command a huge fee.
However a move in January might be advisable, as he has a £97.5million release clause that only becomes active next summer.
The cheaper option is Genoa's Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek, who has already scored 17goals including four for his country this season.
But the Serie A club are determined to get top dollar for the Poland international if they lose him in January.
Chelsea are understood to have made their interest clear through third-party intermediaries, with the possibility of a move when the window opens.
Genoa signed him for just £3.4million in the summer from Polish side Cracovia, but have slapped a £35million price tag on the 23-year-old's head.
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