Chelsea Agrees Maurizio Sarri Deal

TONY BANKS

Chelsea last night agreed terms with Napoli for the £4.5 million release of Maurizio Sarri to become their new manager.

The Stamford Bridge club is now expected to unveil the 59 year old as the successor to Antonio Conte in the next 48 hours.

Talks in London yesterday saw the final details ironed out on a two year deal with an option for a third worth around £5.3m a year. The deal though to extract Sarri from his Napoli contract has taken weeks to resolve, despite the fact that he has already been replaced as manager by Carlo Ancelotti.

Sarri has already, as Express Sport revealed on Saturday, submitted his list of transfer targets to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Juventus defender Daniele Rugani is expected to be the first arrival. But also on the shopping list are Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj and Roma centre back Kostas Manolas. Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Nice midfielder Jean Michel Seri make up the extensive list.

Chelsea by the end of this week expects to have finalised the departure of Conte. The Italian, who won the Premier League title and FA Cup in his two years in west London, is set to be axed with a £9m compensation deal for the remaining year of his contract.

Sarri will bring former Chelsea hero Gianfranco Zola into his coaching staff, as well as trusted No 2 Giovanni Martusciello.