Chelsea suffer MAJOR setback in pursuit of Conte replacement as club refuse to pay release clause

According to media reports, Premier League giants Chelsea are refusing to pay Maurizio Sarri’s contract buyout clause.

Napoli insist on release clause payment

The Guardian is claiming that Chelsea are in a standoff with Serie A side Napoli in their bid to appoint the 59-year-old Italian as their new boss.

The same report states that the Blues’ talks with Maurizio Sarri over a two-year contract are progressing pretty well with the option of a further third year.

However, his Serie A side want The FA Cup winners to match the 59-year-old’s £7m release clause in his contract despite the Italian outfit already appointing a replacement for Sarri.

Conte entitled to a compensation fee

As per the same report, Italian tactician Antonio Conte would be paid a compensation fee of about £7million if the Stamford Bridge outfit decide to terminate the former Italy manager’s current contract.

Antonio Conte led the West London club to the English Premier League title in his debut season when the Blues finished 7 points above second-placed Spurs.

The club won the Emirates FA Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium after playmaker Eden Hazard’s winning goal from the spot.

The Blues haven’t won the UEFA Champions League since their 2012 success when they defeated Bayern Munich on penalty shootout at the Allianz Arena in Munich Germany.