How Diego Costa, others blocked Conte’s move to Real Madrid

Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos blocked the club’s move for Chelsea’s Antonio Conte after speaking to his international teammates plying their trade at Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid announced the arrival of Julen Lopetegui as their new manager last week.

Before his unveiling at Los Blancos, their hunt for a new manager was wide ranging, with the likes of Joachim Low, Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp, Andre Villas-Boas and Max Allegri all sounded out.

El Pais reports that Conte was also part of Real president Florentino Perez’s shot list.

Chelsea are keen to part ways with the Italian this summer.

However, Real Madrid captain, Ramos sought the opinion of Chelsea’s Spanish players – and ex-players, including Diego Cosa – and was warned of a move for Conte.

Ramos was unimpressed with the information he received on Conte’s managerial style, so blocked the move and instead backed Lopetegui as Real’s next manager.

Beyond Costa, Cesar Azpilicueta is the only current Chelsea player in Spain’s World Cup squad, though Marcos Alonso, Alvaro Morata and Pedro were all part of recent squads.

Morata lost his place under Conte, replaced in the starting XI by January arrival, Olivier Giroud, while Pedro was reduced to a bit-part role.

Conte is still widely expected to leave Chelsea this summer, though the west London club are reluctant to pay off the final year of his £9million salary.

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