Reports claim that Chelsea are set to offer Antonio Conte a three-year deal to become their new manager, and hope to save some money by doing so.
His agent is reportedly flying into London to thrash out terms over the deal, which would see Conte take over from Guus Hiddink in the Blues’ dugout.
The deal, however, could well be for a significant amount less than what former manager Jose Mourinho was earning in his second spell with the club.
Chelsea are aiming to slash their managerial wage bill by a third.
The London Evening Standard claims Chelsea are preparing a three-year, £14.25m deal, £4.75m a season.
This is 38 per cent less than Mourinho’s £30m (£7.5m per year) deal, which he signed last summer, before he was sacked in December after the Blues’ awful start to the season.
This would not be the first time Conte was the subject of a contract dispute.
Puma, who sponsor the Italian national team, part funded his wages when he was appointed Azzuri head coach in 2014.
He may well take over at Chelsea after Euro 2016, where he will lead Italy’s charge to glory in France.
By Steve Osborne @BlizzardSteve75
