Chelsea close to appointing Antonio Conte's successor after talks

Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to appoint Luis Enrique as their next head coach. The Blues are expected to pursue a new manager during the summer with Antonio Conte tipped to leave Stamford Bridge.

According to Sport, the Spaniard is seemingly close to signing for the Blues after holding talks with the club's hierarchy. London rivals Arsenal are also said to have made an approach for Enrique but the 47-year-old is understood to be more impressed by the Blues' project.

The west London outfit have yet to make a decision of Antonio Conte's position but it appears very likely that the Italian will be dismissed regardless of the club's success in the FA Cup final.

If this is the case, Chelsea are expected to pay-out a hefty compensation sum of around £10m for the final year of Conte's contract. Chelsea are currently fifth in the league standings, five adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.