Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has cooled talk of a January move for Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Chiellini was a key player for Conte when he won three Serie A titles as Juve boss between 2011 and 2014 but the pair will not be reunited at Stamford Bridge.
Conte is full of respect for Chiellini — who won 96 Italy caps before retiring this year — but accepts that the 33-year-old intends to finish his career with the club he joined way back in 2005.
‘No, no – I must be honest,’ Conte told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.
‘Giorgio is a fantastic player but I think he wants to finish his career at Juventus and I think it’s right to finish his career in this way.’
Conte was talking to the media ahead of his side’s trip to Arsenal on Wednesday.
The Blues will travel to the Emirates Stadium looking for a fifth consecutive Premier League clean sheet.
Chelsea’s fine defensive streak has been achieved without high-profile centre back David Luiz, who has been sidelined since November.