Chelsea transfer news: Juventus preparing compensation package to prise Maurizio Sarri from Stamford Bridge

The Italian club must stump up around £5m if they wish to secure Sarri’s services

Nick Purewal
Saturday 01 June 2019 16:23 BST
Comments
Maurizio Sarri discusses Eden Hazard and own future with Chelsea after Europa League final win

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Juventus are understood to be preparing a compensation package to prise Maurizio Sarri away from Chelsea.

The Italian giants want Blues boss Sarri to replace Massimiliano Allegri in Turin, and must now stump up in the region of £5million to secure their top target.

Chelsea are understood to have no plans to sack Sarri, who led the club to a third-place Premier League finish and Europa League triumph in his maiden Stamford Bridge campaign.

Juventus sent a delegation to Baku for talks with Chelsea bosses on Sarri’s situation, ahead of the Blues thrashing Arsenal 4-1 to lift the Europa League crown in style.

Sarri appeared delighted with the first major trophy of his managerial career, but had long since accepted he would talk to his Chelsea bosses about his future come the end of the campaign.

Former investment banker Sarri has polarised opinion around Stamford Bridge with his regimented tactics, drawing criticism from fans for taking time to hand home grown talents Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi central roles.

While Chelsea would be prepared to let Sarri take the helm for a second season, club bosses are also mindful that the 60-year-old may prefer to return to his native Italy.

The outside criticism of his approach is said to have taken some toll on Sarri this term, and would in part explain his desire for a return home.

Sarri admitted in the wake of Chelsea’s Europa League triumph that he would be seeking talks with the club, insisting both parties would need to state their full intentions.

Sarri is understood to be keen on a return to Italy
Sarri is understood to be keen on a return to Italy (Getty)

“We need to know what the club can do for me, and what I can do better for the club,” said Sarri, in Baku.

“Also the club need to speak to me.”

Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard heads the lengthening queue of those linked with stepping into the west London hot seat should Sarri depart.

Frank Lampard is the favourite to replace the ITalian
Frank Lampard is the favourite to replace the ITalian (PA)

The Derby manager remains hugely popular at all levels of the Stamford Bridge set-up, and has already worked with Chelsea loanees Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori this term with the Rams.

Lampard would be receptive to helping young talent blossom at the Bridge, especially should the club wind up subject to FIFA’s two-window transfer ban. Chelsea can still appeal against that ban with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The unseated Juventus manager Allegri and former France and Paris St Germain boss Laurent Blanc are other names in the frame.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in