Antonio Conte 'to sign Chelsea deal on Monday'

Italy boss Antonio Conte has reportedly arrived in London to sign a contract with Chelsea.

A number of names have been linked with the Stamford Bridge post since Jose Mourinho's departure in December, with interim manager Guus Hiddink repeatedly stating that he will not stay on beyond the end of the current season.

Conte has emerged as the heavy favourite to land the role in recent weeks, having confirmed that he will step down from the Italian national team after Euro 2016 in order to return to club management.

Respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio now reports that the 46-year-old is in London and due to sign a deal with the reigning Premier League champions tomorrow.

Conte will be charged with lifting Chelsea back into the upper echelons of the table following a poor title defence that has left them out of even European reckoning heading into the closing weeks.

The Italian has previously performed a similar role with Juventus, taking over with the club seventh in the table and going on to win three consecutive titles in Turin.