Chelsea are counting on Real Madrid taking sacked manager Antonio Conte off their hands.

The Mirror says Conte is top of Real Madrid's wanted list.

Real Madrid have sounded out ex-Chelsea boss Conte about taking over with Julen Lopetegui under mounting pressure and clinging to his job ahead of their Champions League showdown with Czech side Viktoria Plzen.

But Conte would want a long term contract and Real are not convinced yet on who to appoint in the longer term.

Chelsea are watching developments closely because it could affect Conte's severance package after he left Stamford Bridge last summer with one year left on his £9million-a-year deal.

Real Madrid are also looking at former star Guti, now Besiktas No2, and Santiago Solari, currently Castilla coach at the club.