Antonio Conte blocks £155m mega deal to sign Barcelona attacker and demonstrates his new authority at Chelsea.

It's being reported by Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport that Roman Abramovich had offered Antonio Conte a deal worth £155m to sign Neymar from Barcelona only for Antonio Conte to block the move.

It's a staggering piece of news if there is any substance to it because it demonstrates the new authority Antonio Conte has at Chelsea having lead the team back to the top of the Premier League with ten point lead.

After what has been reported as a summer of frustration for Conte with Chelsea only signing N'Golo Kante from the list of names the Italian had asked the club to sign, it now seems that he will get what he wants this time around.

Tuttosport have claimed that Roman Abramovich had personally agreed a deal with Barcelona to sign Neymar for 180m Euros (£155m) this summer behind the back of the manager which as we know is a regular occurance ever since he took over the club. Having met Roman Abramovich for their meeting that is believed to take place every few weeks, the deal was put to Antonio Conte and he had rejected the chance to sign the Brazilian superstar to favour the opportunity to make a number of signings that he wants this time around.

I want to hear your opinions on these reports and of Chelsea reportedly agreeing a deal for Neymar for such a huge amount of money. Do you think Chelsea should be looking to sign Neymar this summer? What about as a potential replacement for Eden Hazard should be leave for Real Madrid this summer?

It's important to remember that we live in a world of FFP (Financial Fair Play) and although Chelsea have made significant money that is yet to be used from the sales of Oscar, Mikel and Ivanovic, with their salaries accounted for, Chelsea still need to live within their own means. If you add potential sales this summer of the likes of Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois (even though we hope they all stay) then a deal for Neymar AND others would be able to be completed.

It's a massive story, it's a massive deal and the fact that Antonio Conte has rejected the move indicates that the Italian has not only made a massive impact in the Premier League but it seems he has made the same at Boardroom level at Stamford Bridge.

Kudos Mr Conte.

Article source: Metro.