Chelsea have held talks this week with representatives of Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini.

The Guardian says an adviser for Pellegrini is understood to have met Chelsea officials this week to discuss the possibility of taking up the reins at Stamford Bridge in the summer once Rafael Benítez's interim stewardship has run its course.

His contract with Málaga expires at the end of next season but includes a buy-out clause believed to be set at around £3.4m, though it remains to be seen whether he can be persuaded to swap Spain for Stamford Bridge.