The SUN claims Chelsea have confirmed a loan agreement from Lazio for Davide Zappacosta. The deal also states that the fullback could be signed permanently by the Serie A outfit for £13.5m next summer.
Zappacosta was signed by the Blues in the summer of 2017 from Torino for £25m. At the time, Antonio Conte was coming fresh off a Premier League title win and had demanded for more backup in the right fullback position.
While the 26-year-old did get to feature in 53 games under Conte, he has been allowed just 10 appearances this term with 699 minutes recorded on the pitch. Maurizio Sarri has reinstated Cesar Azpilicueta in his usual right-back position and likes to implement a strict back-four formation regularly.
Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj, one of Serie A’s top right-footed fullbacks. Zappacosta’s exit could pave the way for the 24-year-old to make his way over to the Stamford Bridge.
Unfortunately, Hysaj is not doing well under Carlo Ancelotti and might be interested in reuniting with his former boss. The player’s agent reportedly said, “A transfer in January? In the summer he could have gone with Sarri to Chelsea, but Ancelotti openly told us that he needed him. We need to find a solution to the problem.”
“He was among the best performing full-backs in Europe. If he is seen as an alternative, we will ask for a sale in January.”
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