Chelsea are close to appointing Maurizio Sarri as their new boss after fresh talks with Napoli reached a breakthrough.

The Blues are hunting for a new boss to replace Antonio Conte, although they have yet to officially confirm his departure – but that too will soon come.

Chelsea have long being looking at Sarri, and were close to a deal at the start of this month but his former club Napoli were demanding his release clause of £8million be paid despite the fact they have already appointed his successor in the shape of Carlo Ancelotti.

Chelsea were forced to look at other targets including Luis Enrique, Laurent Blanc and Fulham’s Slavisa Jokanovic, but now Napoli have relented on their terms.

A deal is now close to being finalised, with Sarri’s personal terms already agreed in principle and Chelsea hope to make an announcement soon, with reports already claiming that Blues legend Gianfranco Zola will be part of the backroom staff under the new regime.

Bookmakers are seemingly convinced that the deal will be happening and markets have been suspended, after Sarri was backed in again to 1/6 in a short space of time.

“On the evidence of the number and size of the bets we have taken, this looks to be a done deal therefore we are now waiting for the dust to settle with this market, but barring something unexpected, it looks as though Sarri is going to be appointed as the next Chelsea boss very soon,” said Coral’s John Hill.