Chelsea are reportedly interested in talking to Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri about the managerial position at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte is widely expected to leave Chelsea at the end of the current season, and the Blues are believed to have admitted defeat in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been impressed with Sarri's work in Naples, and the Italian manager is believed to have a £7m release clause in his contract, which expires at the end of May.
Sarri has been in charge of Napoli since 2015, and the 59-year-old's team currently sit at the top of Serie A having won 18 of their 22 fixtures during the 2017-18 campaign.
Conte, meanwhile, has been unable to lead another title charge this season, and the pressure has increased on the former Juventus boss following Wednesday's 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth.
Matt Law
