Maurizio Sarri is all but out of the running to take over as Chelsea manager, according to reports.
The Blues are now reportedly unlikely to appoint Sarri, who had been touted as the favourite to replace Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are widely tipped to axe Conte, who has a year remaining on his contract.
Sarri, who recently left Napoli, is understood to be keen on the Chelsea job and reports recently suggested that he was close to being appointed.
However, a number of UK newspapers have since reported that Chelsea are unwilling to pay the kind of compensation Napoli are apparently looking for despite him no longer being their manager – he has been replaced by ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.
And Sky say Sarri’s regular brushes with the Italian football authorities have put Chelsea off.
He has been involved in a number of controversies, including being fined and hit with a two-game ban in January for alleged homophobic abuse aimed at Roberto Mancini.
Reports in Italy had claimed that an agreement was almost in place for Sarri to take over at the Bridge, but he now looks highly unlikely to get the job.
Former Paris St-Germain boss Laurent Blanc is now said to be in the frame.