Chelsea close to hiring Maurizio Sarri and Gianfranco Zola

Chelsea close to hiring Maurizio Sarri and Gianfranco Zola

Chelsea are on the verge of reaching an agreement with Napoli for Maurizio Sarri as they hope to appoint a new head coach at the London club.

Chelsea who are currently caught in a managerial dilemma with Antonio Conte likely to be sacked, the former Premier League champions are hoping to appoint a new head coach in Sarri, Napoli refused to release their former coach despite announcing Carlo Ancelotti as his replacement.

Maurizio Sarri is reported to be confident that an agreement will be reached soon between Chelsea and Napoli for his move to Stamford Bridge.

Aurelio de Laurentiis, the Napoli president has agreed to negotiate the terms of his Sarri's release with any interested club. The Italian had a £7m buyout clause which has expired.

Reports in Italy suggest that De Laurentiis is ready to consider a £3.5m for Sarri's prospective employers as he disclosed this publicly.

“If [Chelsea open talks] I would sit politely and listen, reflect and then give the response that was best for Napoli,” De Laurentiis told Corriere dello Sport. “I want to make one thing clear: this is not a club to be pillaged, this is not a club to be underestimated. I am here to discuss and have already said that, if called, I would be reasonable.”

Chelsea will have to pay Antonio Conte £9m if they sack him as he has one year left on his contract.