Former French manager Laurent Blanc has emerged as favourite for the Chelsea job.

The Blues have been looking at Antonio Conte’s successor for weeks, and had been closing on Maurizio Sarri, who has been replaced at Napoli by Carlo Ancelotti, but his compensation proved an issue.

Blanc has now emerged as a candidate, along with former Barcelona chief Luis Enrique – who is also talking with the club.

Blanc has not been in management since leaving Paris Saint Germain in 2016, whilst Enrique left Barcelona last summer.

Bookmakers have moved to make Blanc favourites at Evens, whilst Sarri is out to 2/1 with Betway who make Enrique 7/2.

Betway’s Alan Alger, said: “Bets on Maurizio Sarri, who was as short as 1/6 to be Chelsea’s next manager, have dried up and the Italian has been leapfrogged at the head of the betting by Laurent Blanc.

“Blanc, 25/1 just a few weeks ago and still available at 11/4 on Sunday night, has been the name on almost every bet slip today and the Frenchman is now even-money to replace Antonio Conte in the Chelsea hot-seat.

“Interest in Luis Enrique getting the Blues job has also resurfaced, with the ex-Barca boss back into 7/2 having touched 10/1 last week.”