There are reports in Italy and England that Chelsea have begun talks with Rafa Benitez as the club want to appoint him as Maurizio Sarri’s replacement.

Benitez’s current contract with Newcastle United is due to expire at the end of the month and an agreement over a new deal has not been reached, report the Metro.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are making plans to appoint a new manager as Maurizio Sarri closes in on a move to Juventus.

Tuttosport report that Chelsea are happy to let Sarri leave but Roman Abramovich wants the Italian’s successor to already be in place when his departure is announced.

And Tuttosport claims that a meeting between Chelsea’s hierarchy and Benitez to discuss a return to Stamford Bridge is ‘imminent’.

The Spaniard was an unpopular appointment at Stamford Bridge in 2012, but he ultimately delivered a Europa League before moving to Napoli a year later.

He has since re-established Newcastle United as a Premier League club, despite problems with owner Mike Ashley.

France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Lyon left back Ferland Mendy will join Real Madrid.

Spanish media reports said Real had agreed a fee of £49m for Mendy, who has made 79 appearances for Lyon since moving from Le Havre in 2017.

‘Two years ago, he was in the second division and now he will play at Real Madrid,’ Deschamps told reporters ahead of France’s Euro qualifier against Andorra on Tuesday.

‘He can play on either side and his development is stunning.’

Real Madrid declined to comment.

Mendy would become Real’s fourth major signing of the transfer window, after forwards Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic plus defender Eder Militao, as the Spaniards look to rebuild after a disappointing campaign saw them finish without a trophy.

However, there has been concern, according to Football Espana, from Madrid surrounding a hip injury to the player, meaning he will undergo a second medical examination this week.

Los Blancos are keen to find out the extent of a hip injury the player has complained about in recent months and are keen for Mendy to take a second medical so they can compile more information.

Reports in Italy and Spain claim Antonio Conte and Inter Milan have poached Real Madrid conditioning coach Antonio Pintus.

According to the Corriere dello Sport and Marca, Italian Pintus had an increasingly tense rapport with the club, particularly under Julen Lopetegui and Zidane.

There was a brief respite in which he became more central to the project when Santiago Solari was on the bench, report Football Italia.

The fitness coach lost prominence at Madrid during Julen Lopetegui’s tenure at the club but returned under Santiago Solari with the team then lauded for their improved physicality.

Pintus has already worked with Conte at Juventus and Chelsea, while previous clubs include Olympique Marseille and Palermo.

His contract was due to run until June 2020, but it seems as if he’ll terminate it early by mutual consent so he can join Inter.

The Nerazzurri suffered with multiple muscular injuries this season, so would welcome a conditioning coach to work on fitness levels.

Hungary manager Marco Rossi has compared Manchester United-bound winger Daniel James to Usain Bolt and former Brazil striker Ronaldo ahead of Tuesday’s European Qualifier with Wales.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the verge of making James his first signing as United boss after the club confirmed that a deal has been agreed in principle with Swansea City for the winger’s transfer.

The 21-year-old is currently on international duty with Wales and showed glimpses of what is to come at Old Trafford as his country slipped to a 2-1 EURO 2020 qualifier defeat in Croatia.

James will complete his £18m move top Manchester United this week once he returns from international duty.

Now, Rossi revealed he was a huge fan ahead of his country’s Euro 2020 qualifier with Wales.

“James’ speed reminds me of Usain Bolt – to be so fast like him is really incredible,” Rossi said at his pre-match press conference.

“In the last years I don’t remember one player that gave me this sensation. His acceleration is so peculiar, which is why Manchester United have bought him.

“In the past I played against a very fast player who, for me, was the best after Maradona – Ronaldo.

“He was just not known for speed, but for everything. His acceleration looked like James, though at the moment the skills are a little bit different.”

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