CHELSEA have joined Juventus in the race to sign Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi, according to reports.
Antonio Conte is keen to strengthen his squad before Tuesday’s deadline and Italian newspaper La Repubblica via Calciomercato claims Berardi, 25, is at the top of his shopping list.
The versatile attacker has only just returned to action after spending four-and-a-half months out with knee ligament damage.
But that hasn’t stopped Conte from making Berardi his top Stamford Bridge target after the pair held a meeting over the Christmas period.
Despite his injury woes, Berardi has still mustered seven goals in just eight appearances this season and would provide Chelsea with another option in their formidable front three.
However, Serie A champions Juventus already have a £22million first-option clause in place.
And Chelsea will also have to contend with competition from Inter Milan and AC Milan, with the pair ready to spend big with their newly-inherited Chinese money.
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But Berardi isn’t keen on moving to Turin, while Inter and AC could struggle to offer him regular football.
Conte also included Berardi in his Italy squad for World Cup qualifiers in 2015 and the pair remain on good terms.
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