Chelsea have been warned they will have to pay Andrea Belotti’s £88million release clause if they want to sign the Torino forward this summer after failing in an approach to bag the Italy international. Antonio Conte has a long-term interest in the Italian forward and instructed his board to make a move for Belotti this week.

The 23-year-old scored 26 goals and racked up seven assists in 36 appearances for Torino last season and has been heavily linked with a move away from the Turin club. Chelsea approached Torino over a deal for Belotti and touted a fee of around £63million but the Serie A club have rejected the approach.

A clause in Belotti’s contract means he can leave the club for €100m (£88m) and Torino stressed to Chelsea that he will not leave for a penny less, according to Tuttosport.

Chelsea have made three signings so far this summer – Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Morata – but Conte wants at least three new players in in the next fortnight.