Antonio Conte gets Roman Abramovich backing to overhaul Chelsea squad

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is planning a major overhaul of his squad over the next two transfer windows despite a strong start to the season, according to reports.

The Daily Telegraph says Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been greatly impressed with Conte and is ready to spend big to bring the players that the Italian coach wants to Stamford Bridge.

The paper claims Chelsea will launch a substantial transfer bid for Leonardo Bonucci, with whom Conte has worked before at Juventus.

Roma's Radja Nainggolan and Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic are also on the former Italy manager's radar.

Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry are reportedly unlikely to earn new contracts under Conte so Chelsea may be forced to recruit more defensive replacements, with Roma's Antonio Rudiger and Burnley's Michael Keane among the potential options.

Chelsea have won their last six league matches without conceding a goal and are second on the Premier League table, a point behind Liverpool.

In September, Bonucci admitted that he was tempted by the possibility of moving to the Premier League last summer. Manchester City are understood to have approached Juventus for Bonucci in July, with manager Pep Guardiola a known admirer of the Italy international.

However, a transfer did not materialise and the Etihad outfit ended up signing John Stones from Everton for £47.5m ($59m) instead.

Chelsea were also reported to be interested in signing Bonucci in a £48m deal as a successor to John Terry.

"If I said that I wasn't tempted this summer by an offer from England, above all for the coach that wanted me, then that would be a lie," the 29-year-old was quoted as saying by Football Italia.

"But Juventus is my home and I am happy to have stayed. My dream was to win with this shirt and now I am here, ready to improve as a player and challenge myself to make this team legendary."