Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Massimiliano Allegri in the belief the Juventus manager could be tempted by a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Allegri has two more years to run on a £10million-a-year contract at Juventus but there has been contact at an intermediary level.
He is on course to win the Italian title yet again but is becoming frustrated by an inability to compete with Europe's strongest clubs in the Champions League.
Juventus were thrashed 3-0 at home by Real Madrid in the first leg of a quarter-final tie on Tuesday.