Chelsea
are close to finalising a deal for Maurizio Sarri to replace Antonio Conte,
Napoli's president has revealed.
Aurelio De Laurentiis announced on Wednesday: "Sarri is close to being new
Chelsea manager. My lawyers are in talks with his lawyers to finalise
everything."
The Napoli president was unveiling the club's new manager Carlo Ancelotti,
who was appointed before Sarri's departure has been secured.
Sky in Italy understands a compensation settlement between the 51-year old
and the Serie A club is set to be agreed on Wednesday afternoon - prompting
Chelsea to bring to an end Conte's two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Conte took training at Chelsea's Cobham training ground on Monday and still
has 12 months left on his £9m-a-year contract.
Chelsea are yet to make a single move in this summer's transfer market but
it is understood Sarri's arrival could also prompt the arrival of Aleksandr
Golovin and Juventus defender Daniele Rugani.
De Laurentiis also revealed Jorginho, who has been in advanced talks with
Manchester City for a number of weeks, would prefer a move to London and
could follow Sarri to Chelsea.
Napoli will take all offers into account, the club president said, offering
an apology to Manchester City.
"If for personal reasons I won't get into, the player prefers to live in
London rather than in Manchester, I can understand him," De Laurentiis said.
"If Chelsea pay him more, I can understand it too. So I can just apologize
to Khaldoon [Al Mubarak].
"But it does not depend on me. If Jorginho moves to Chelsea, my agreement
with Abramovich does not depend on Sarri becoming their next manager."
Departures could be of concern to Sarri should he arrive at Stamford Bridge
though. Real Madrid are interested in Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois,
while Barcelona are eyeing Willian.
The summer window closes in less than a month, Chelsea head for West
Australia and their first match of the pre-season on July 23.
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