Napoli reportedly willing to lower Sarri fee

Napoli are willing to lower their compensation price for Maurizio Sarri in order to encourage Chelsea to appoint him, according to reports.

Sarri was recently replaced by former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti but has two years left on his contract and a financial settlement needs to be agreed before he can take another job.

Napoli were reported to want around £7m for Sarri, who has been widely tipped to replace Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.

The Daily Mirror say Napoli are willing to drop the price to £4.5m, while the Daily Telegraph believe the Italian club would accept £3.5m.

Former Paris St-Germain boss Laurent Blanc is said to have been lined up by Chelsea as another option should a deal for Sarri not be agreed.

The Telegraph also say Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich faces having to pay Conte £9m if he decides to sack him rather than let him see out the final year of his contract.

Conte has made it clear he will not resign and the Telegraph say he has told friends he is ready to return for the start of pre-season training if no action is taken.