Chelsea agree Maurizio Sarri deal with Gianfranco Zola and Juventus transfer to follow

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 are 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.

Chelsea news Maurizio SarriGETTY

Chelsea will appoint Maurizio Sarri within 48 hours and Daniele Rugani (right) will follow

Chelsea news Maurizio SarriGETTY

Chelsea will pay off Maurizio Sarri's Napoli contract

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.

by the end of this week expect to have finalised the departure of Conte.

Chelsea news Daniele RuganiGETTY

Chelsea will hope to sign Daniele Rugani as Maurizio Sarri's first deal

Chelsea news Robert LewandowskiGETTY

Chelsea target Robert Lewandowski could also be heading to London

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.