Chelsea make Manuel Pellegrini approach?

The agent of Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has claimed that Chelsea are interested in his client's services.

Spaniard Rafael Benitez is currently in charge at Stamford Bridge but only on a interim basis, and reports have claimed that owner Roman Abramovich has decided to sack him during the summer.

A number of managers have been linked with the job, but agent Jesus Martinez has suggested that Pellegrini is among the frontrunners for the hotseat.

"Manuel has a contract with Malaga. I think that in April and May we will be clear about what will happen with his future," Martinez told El Mercurio.

"Our first intention is to respect our commitment, but it also depends on what the conditions are. We had a formal offer from Roma but we rejected it. It was less than 15 days ago but we discarded it outright because we are in the middle of the season.

"Chelsea and other clubs have asked but only through intermediaries, nothing official. Manuel would love to coach in the English Premier League, as he would in Germany, Italy and other important leagues. There's plenty of time to analyse what we will do next season."

Pellegrini, 59, has previously managed Real Madrid, River Plate and Villarreal.