Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Maurizio Sarri SACKED; Antonio Conte on the brink of exit

Chelsea transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest from Stamford Bridge

Thursday May 24

Michael Ballack return?

Away from transfer news, Michael Ballack could be set for a sensational return to Chelsea as director of football, according to reports.

Ballack starred for Chelsea for four years from 2006 and is still regularly seen around Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, the former Germany international stepped back onto the pitch in west London just last week as he took part in a Legends match dedicated to Ray Wilkins.

Chelsea have not had a technical director since Michael Emenalo quit to join Monaco in November.

And Evening Standard report that Ballack has been added to a list of names under consideration for the role.

Wednesday May 23

Maurizio Sarri meeting

Maurizio Sarri will fly to London tomorrow to sit down with Chelsea executives, reports claim.

Sarri, who was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli today, is now free to pursue other ventures with Stamford Bridge looking like his most likely destination.

According to SportItalia, a meeting has been organised between the two parties to discuss replacing Antonio Conte.

Chelsea may have to pay out millions if Conte chooses to take a break from football. Having stated his intention to see out the final year on his contract, Chelsea would have to sack him to bring in Sarri, which could mean a £9million hit for the Blues.

Eight stars Maurizio Sarri could sign

Chelsea look set to make a move for Maurizio Sarri after the Napoli boss was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti on a dramatic day at the Serie A club.

The Blues remain quiet over Antonio Conte's future following their FA Cup victory but he is still expected to depart Stamford Bridge, with Sarri the hot contender to replace him.

The 59-year-old led Napoli to a second-place finish in 2017/18 after losing just three games all season, and could bring some of his stars to the Premier League with him.

Dries Mertens reportedly has a low release clause in his contract, while a long-term Blues target could finally make his move if Sarri is appointed.

Take a look through the gallery BELOW to reveal eight stars who Maurizio Sarri could be interested in bringing to Chelsea.

Napoli appoint Ancelotti

Napoli have appointed the much-travelled and hugely successful Carlo Ancelotti as their new coach.

Ancelotti will replace Maurizio Sarri, who led Napoli to two second-place and one third-place finish during his three seasons in charge.

"SSC Napoli is delighted to announce that an agreement has been reached with Carlo Ancelotti for him to become the head coach of the first team for three seasons starting in 2018/19," the club said.

Although Sarri's team won plaudits for their free-flowing, attacking football, they lacked the killer punch needed to unseat Juventus who have won Serie A for the last seven seasons.

Alvaro Morata spotted!

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has fuelled rumours he could be heading back to Juventus by being photographed in Italy today.

Juventus are thought to be sniffing around the Madrid-born ace, having had him on their books for two years previously.

And those rumours are not going to die down with Morata spotted in Milan this afternoon.

The hitman was pictured alongside his agent, Juanma Lopez Y Gelu Rodriguez, and Juventus chief Fabio Paratici.

The image was posted on Twitter and captioned: "Morata and Paratici a few minutes ago in Via Monte Napoleone. Come on!!"

Alex Sandro update

Manchester United are reportedly yet to make an offer for Juventus star Alex Sandro.

Jose Mourinho is in the market for reinforcements this summer as he seeks to build a side capable of challenging champions Manchester City.

And signing a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw and stand-in left-back Ashley Young is one of his top priorities.

Recent reports have suggested a deal worth around £53m (€60m) is on the cards to take the Brazilian to Old Trafford.

However, Italian outlet Calcio Mercato claim that speculation is wide of the mark with United supposedly yet to make an offer for Sandro.

Alvaro Morata meeting

AC Milan chiefs have reportedly held a meeting with Alvaro Morata’s intermediary Beppe Bozzo to discuss a summer switch to the San Siro.

The Spanish forward was a high-profile omission from Julen Lopetegui’s World Cup squad, and has been tipped to leave Stamford Bridge after an underwhelming debut season.

Sky Italia claim Milan’s CEO Marco Fassone and sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli discussed a potential deal with Bozzo at Casa Milan today.

The report states that Bozzo previously negotiated with AC Milan when they attempted to secure his services last year.

Maurizio Sarri leaves

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has thanked head coach Maurizio Sarri for his achievements as head coach as the Serie A club reportedly look to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as his successor.

In his third season in charge Sarri, 59, led Napoli to a second-placed finish, with a 91-point haul not enough to beat Juventus to the Scudetto.

It was a third campaign of improvement from the Azzurri under his management. Napoli were runners-up in 2015-16 and, although they placed third a year later, they reached the last 16 of the Champions League.

De Laurentiis tweeted: "I thank Maurizio Sarri for his dedication to Napoli which has brought great prestige and emotion to the city by creating a style of football which is admired everywhere and by everyone. Well done Maurizio."

Despite Napoli's lofty finish, De Laurentiis has aired his frustration with Sarri - linked with Chelsea despite his fellow Italian Antonio Conte remaining in charge there - over stalled contract talks.

Roman Abramovich’s concern

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is unsure whether Maurizio Sarri is ready for the Premier League, it has been claimed.

Sarri, 59, is one of the most respected bosses in Europe having guided Napoli to a second-placed finish in Serie A this season. He is now without a job.

Antonio Conte guided Chelsea to an FA Cup win on Saturday but that won't be enough for him to stay on at Stamford Bridge.

Although he remains in position for now, it's expected he will get the chop in the coming days - paying the price for failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Blues chiefs have considered Sarri as a replacement but Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri says Abramovich has his doubts over his credentials.

Palmeri tweeted: "Chelsea-Sarri: nothing has changed yet. The contact has happened, but Abramovich hasn’t taken a decision yet, and he is still not persuaded that Sarri can be ready for Premier. Sarri got on table a 6 millions € offer from Zenit."

Rafa Benitez responds

Rafa Benitez isn’t worried about reports linking Jamaal Lascelles with a Newcastle departure.

The centre-back has attracted interest from a number of Premier League rivals including Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

But Benitez is confident Lascelles, 24, will be playing his football at St James’ Park next season.

“I think he will stay here, and hopefully for the long term,” Benitez told Chronicle Live earlier this month. “He has huge potential and big clubs will look at him because he is a young, English centre-back.

“But I think that for his future, and for his development, that he stays in a place where he can play and he can improve and continue to keep getting better with us.

“I think he understands that too. He seems happy and he is learning all the time, so I hope he stays for a long time.”

Arsenal hijack

Arsenal and Chelsea have joined the hunt for Hamburg defender Josha Vagnoman, according to reports.

The 17-year-old was the second youngest player in history to play in Bundesliga when he made his debut against Bayern Munich.

He is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Germany and now ESPN report Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton are all wanting his signature.

Hamburg have reportedly offered the defender a new contract with his current deal expiring this summer but are bracing themselves for offers.

Arsenal allegedly believe they are well positioned to land the youngster with head of recruitment Sven Mislintat a long-term admirer.

The Gunners also have former German international Per Mertesacker, who is set to become reserve team manager at the Emirates from next season.