His agent has held talks with PSG.
Antonio Conte appears to be edging closer towards the exit door at Chelsea after his agent held talks with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ligue 1 side are set to sack Unai Emery at the end of the current campaign with the Spaniard failing to impress since taking over in the summer of 2016.
Emery’s fate appeared to be sealed when PSG exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage to Real Madrid earlier this month.
As a result, the PSG hierarchy have accelerated their search for a successor, with Conte heading a four-man list which includes Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri.
According to The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano, widely regarded as one of the most reliable sources when it comes to players and managers making moves, PSG are willing to offer Conte £10m a season.
The Italian is the most likely to leave his current position. Despite growing discontent, Mourinho is expected to stay at United, while prising Simeone and Allegri away from their current employers will be extremely problematic.
However, Conte had been widely tipped to leave England in the summer. Having guided the Blues to the Premier League title in his first season in charge, the 48-year-old has cut an exasperated figure in recent months, with reports surfacing of a breakdown in his relationship with the club over recent business in the transfer window.
Chelsea are currently fifth in the league table, five points behind Tottenham. Should Chelsea fail to qualify for the Champions League, Conte looks certain to depart, be it a resignation or dismissal.
However, PSG would likely face stiff competition from the Italian football federation as the former Juventus boss has been heavily linked with making a return to the Azzurri.
The Italian FA’s vice-commissioner, Alessandro Costacurta, confirmed Conte as their first-choice recently. “I haven’t chosen yet but I think Conte is the one who could do the best,” he said. “I’ll definitely talk with him in a couple of months.”
