Napoli meet Carlo Ancelotti for talks as Chelsea target Maurizio Sarri nears exit

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis looks increasingly resigned to losing Chelsea target Maurizio Sarri as coach after meeting Carlo Ancelotti today for talks.

Standard Sport understands that De Laurentiis met with Ancelotti at the Gallia Hotel in Milan to discuss the possibility of taking over from Sarri.

The latter is one of the main contenders for the Chelsea job should Antonio Conte leave as expected.

De Laurentiis confirmed last night that negotiations over a new deal for Sarri had broken down and he has wasted little time in pursuing Ancelotti.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach was sacked by Bayern Munich last September and has been taking a break from the game ever since.

It is believed he has asked De Laurentiis for a salary in the region of £5.7m-a-year, plus assurances that the club will spend in the transfer market.

An agreement is still a long way off though given Sarri was offered only £3.3m plus bonuses during discussions last week.

Sources at Napoli are not sure what will happen and there is real uncertainty at the club.

Sarri, who is also a target for Monaco and Zenit St Petersburg, appears to be waiting to see if Chelsea will follow up their interest.

Chelsea are considering a number of coaches themselves, with Fulham's Slavisa Jokanovic increasingly admired at Stamford Bridge.