Chelsea are keeping tabs on U.C. Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel and are reportedly considering a summer bid
Over the course of the summer, Chelsea have been linked with a number of players in the Serie A, likely due to Antonio Conte’s familiarity with the league and having won it 3 years in a row. Players from Roma, Inter and AC Milan were all linked with moves to the SW6 during some point in the summer and now Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on Sampdoria’s striker.
Antonio Conte is reportedly ‘infatuated’ with 25-year-old Colombian international striker, Luis Muriel. According to Calciomercato, the Blues are considering signing him, but want to wait till June rather than make a bid in the upcoming January transfer window.
Chelsea want to be absolutely sure of his abilities before they decide to activate his release clause of €28 million. Muriel has been in superb form for La Samp this season, scoring 8 goals and getting 5 assists in 15 appearances in all competitions this term and in doing so, he has already surpassed his goal tally from last the campaign, with half a season still left to play.
During his time at Udinese, Muriel’s progress was hampered due to recurring injuries which never allowed him to fully live up to his potential. He eventually moved to Sampdoria in January 2015 on loan, with the option to buy for €12 million at the end of the season.
After making the switch from Udine to Genoa, he scored 4 goals and registered 4 assists in 16 appearances, which was enough to convince Sampdoria to make his deal permanent.
The following season, he managed to stay injury free and made 35 appearances in a season for the first time in his career in Italy and scored 7 goals and registered 7 assists that season, helping them to a 15th placed finish.
He has started this year in great form and is in line to have the best season of his career. Chelsea aren’t the only club interested in the striker, with rivals Napoli also looking to bring in a quality forward due to the injury to Arkaduisz Milik.
