Enzo Maresca to Chelsea expected quickly after the approach of Leicester City

Enzo Maresca is on the verge of leaving Leicester City with a move to Chelsea now expected to go through quickly.

Chelsea are said to have requested permission to speak to the City manager as they look to find a successor to Mauricio Pochettino. Maresca has emerged ahead of Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi to become the number one contender at Stamford Bridge, reports the Telegraph, with City receiving an approach regarding official talks.

Progress at this stage has Maresca on course to leave the King Power Stadium after just one year. City are understood to have expected a swift process once Chelsea officially signaled their intentions to bring in the Italian.

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The Premier League heavyweights would not make contact with City unless they were convinced Maresca was their man and confident he wanted the job. The only barrier to a deal would be if Chelsea were unwilling to meet Maresca’s release clause – believed to be north of £8m – and tried to lure City away.

Maresca’s exit would put City in a difficult position as they prepare for a return to the Premier League. They have financial issues to sort out to avoid possible breaches of profit and sustainability rules, and their Premier League charge in March is expected to lead to a points deduction in the upcoming campaign.

These issues are likely to make squad-building a difficult process this summer, and City now appear to be without a manager. There is long-standing interest in former Brighton manager Graham Potter and City would likely approach him if and when Maresca leaves.

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