We imagine most football managers, were they to be informed by their chairman that a deal has been agreed to bring one of the greatest footballers in the world to their club, would bound around their office with the same level of excitement as Brendan Rodgers when he discovers his local beauty salon are offering 50% off fake bake and teeth whitening treatments.
However, Antonio Conte does not appear to be most football managers.
According to Tuttosport in Italy, Roman Abramovich, spooked by the interest of Internazionale in his manager, promptly met with Barcelona officials to thrash out a £155.5m agreement for the signing of Neymar in order to appease Conte into remaining at Stamford Bridge.
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However, leaving the Premier League leaders is apparently not on the mind of the former Juventus and Italy boss, who informed Chelsea's Russian owner that he wanted to pursue other transfer targets, this Summer.
The story was front page news on Tuttosport, yesterday. Image: Tuttosport
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It is believed the Chelsea chairman and manager held the meeting regarding signing Neymar after the Blues' dramatic late 2-1 victory over Stoke City, last weekend.
Abramovich believed delivering a major marquee name for Conte would convince the Italian to resist potential overtures from his homeland.
We can expect to see a lot more of this at Stamford Bridge, next season...
It is believed that Conte's targets for this Summer include Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and former Blues striker Romelu Lukaku.
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If what Tuttosport were reporting was indeed accurate, though, was Conte right to reject the potential signing of Neymar?
(H/T Metro)
Topics: Football, Barcelona, Neymar, Chelsea FC, Antonio Conte