Chelsea are already sounding out a replacement for Antonio Conte should the Italian leave, if reports from the manager’s homeland are to be believed.

Football Italia claim Conte’s countryman Maurizio Sarri, the boss at Serie A excitement machines Napoli, is being targeted by the Blues.

The Blues are hardly out of the title race but are a disappointing fourth on 16 points after nine Premier League games.

Napoli can go two points ahead of Inter Milan at the top of Serie A with a win in their next game and have been the toast of Europe so far this season with 21 goals already (Inter have 13)

The release clause to get Sarri talking is a paltry £6.75m, chump change for Chelsea.

Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri (
Image:
Gareth Copley)

Stories from the Wednesday's Daily Mirror

TRANSFERS

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists "signing Harry Kane has not passed through my head" after his European champions were linked with a moe for the Tottenham and England striker.

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Manchester United and Arsenal are both reportedly monitoring Marco Reus' situation at Borussia Dortmund. The Germany international forward is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury and is unlikely to return until 2018. He is contracted until the end of next season but German media report the Premier League duo are keeping tabs on the situation.

OTHER NEWS

Slaven Bilic was so distraught after West Ham ’s calamitous defeat by Brighton he appeared to be convinced he was about to be fired. Members of Bilic’s squad were expecting a dressing-room rollicking and raised voices after being humiliated 3-0 at home by the newly-promoted Seagulls last Friday. Instead, Mirror Sport has learned, their despondent manager simply came in, shook the hands of his players and staff, then walked out again. The reaction, and accompanying silence, left a number of the stars mystified.

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Image:
REUTERS)

Jurgen Klopp is ready to swing the axe to get Liverpool’s faltering top-four campaign back on track. And the Reds' boss will turn to youth in a bid to solve a defensive crisis that threatens to undermine their season. Dejan Lovren, subbed after half an hour against Sours on Sunday, will be kept out of the firing line, with England U21 international Joe Gomez switching from right-back to central defence. Trent Alexander-Arnold, 19, is likely to replace Gomez on the flank. Klopp is also consodering switching keepers, from Simon Mignolet, 29, to 24-year-old Loris Karius,

Transfer news and gossip from other sites and papers

Pedro Caixinha is odds-on to be sacked as Rangers manager before the next Old Firm clash in December. (Daily Record)

Manchester United have not made a move for Mesut Ozil - but are one of three clubs the Germany star would be willing to leave Arsenal for. (Manchester Evening News)

Manchester United have opened talks with Valencia over the signing of £30m Carlos Soler. (The Sun)