Chelsea has agreed the deal with Antonio Conte – Italian source

Chelsea’s seemingly eternal search for a permanent manager might conclude successfully next month in Rome, if rumors concerning Antonio Conte are correct.

Conte’s contract with Italy expires after the 2016 European Championship and, therefore, the Italian will be free to move to Stamford Bridge, without any compensation needed to be paid to the Italian Football Federation.

And Conte is already believed to have identified Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan as a potential signing if he is appointed by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

It would be his first job outside of Italy, where he has previously had success with Serie A clubs Atalanta, Siena and Juve.

Diego Simeone, Massimiliano Allegri and Manuel Pellegrini are all thought to be candidates for the Chelsea manager’s job, but it appears Conte has beaten them all to it. The 46-year-old is expected to be that man.

If Conte agrees to a contract, he’d take charge of Chelsea this summer after UEFA Euro 2016.

A delegation from the Premier League champions met with the Italy boss in Rome last week and negotiations were said to have progressed smoothly.

John Obi Mikel has claimed 99 per cent of the Chelsea squad want interim manager Guus Hiddink to stay on past the end of this season, but the Dutchman has so far ruled out such a scenario.

But similar pleas were made in 2009 after Hiddink lifted the FA Cup and he was happy to walk away from the club.