AC Milan 'met with Antonio Conte's representatives in London' over summer move for Chelsea manager
- AC Milan sacked Vincenzo Montella after Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Torino
- Club legend Gennaro Gatusso has been brought in until the end of the season
- Calciomercato report that Milan want Antonio Conte to join them in the summer
- Conte has clashed with Chelsea's board in the past over their lack of investment
AC Milan have held talks with members of Antonio Conte's entourage as they plot a summer move for the Chelsea manager, according to reports in Italy.
Milan sacked Vincenzo Montella on Monday after Sunday's goalless draw at home to Torino, which leaves them in seventh place in Serie A.
The Rossoneri have replaced Montella with club legend Gennaro Gattuso on a deal until the end of the campaign but want a long-term appointment in the summer.
AC Milan reportedly want Chelsea manager Antonio Conte as their manager for next season
And Calciomercato report that Milan have made Conte their top target, with managing director Marco Fassone convinced the Chelsea boss was the right man for the job even before sacking Montella.
Milan director Massimiliano Mirabelli flew to London for England's friendly against Brazil at Wembley earlier this month but he reportedly also took the time to meet with Conte's representatives.
Conte is held in high regard in his homeland after winning three consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus before taking an unfancied Italy side to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals.
The 48-year-old clashed with Chelsea's board last summer despite leading the Blues to the Premier League title in his first season in charge.
Vincenzo Montella was sacked after Milan's goalless draw at home to Torino on Sunday
Former player Gennaro Gatusso has replaced Montella on a deal until the end of the season
The club were upset at his handling of the Diego Costa situation, who has since joined Atletico Madrid, and Conte was frustrated by the lack of new signings.
Conte earlier this week urged Chelsea to add new recruits in January amid concerns about their ability to compete with Manchester City.
Reports in Italy earlier this year suggested AC Milan's rivals Inter were preparing to offer Conte a £250,000-a-week contract to become their new manager.
AC Milan are flushed with cash since being taken over by a Chinese consortium back in April and splashed £160million on new signings in the summer window.
Milan director Massimiliano Mirabelli reportedly met with Conte's entourage in London
Leonardo Bonucci, Andre Silva and Ricardo Rodriguez were among 11 players Milan added but Montella struggled to mould the stars together as an effective unit.
Montella's replacement Gattuso is popular among supporters from his playing days at the San Siro but has been unsuccessful in previous managerial positions.
Gattuso was sacked three times, at Sion, Palermo and OFI Crete, before leaving Pisa at the end of last season following their relegation. He has been promoted from his position as manager of Milan's Primavera youth team.
His first game in charge will be Sunday's trip to the league's bottom-placed side Benevento, who have lost all 14 of their matches so far this season.
- Inter Milan eye shock swoop for Antonio Conte | Daily Mail Online
- Romano Exclusive: AC Milan and those London contacts for Conte: a revelation and the Gattuso arrival... | English News | Calciomercato.com
- AC Milan sack Vincenzo Montella, appoint Gennaro Gattuso | Daily Mail Online
- Chelsea boss Antonio Conte's issues with the club are over | Daily Mail Online
- Antonio Conte urges Chelsea to make January signings | Daily Mail Online
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