The Italian Football Federation are convinced they can tempt Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to take charge of the national team a second time.

FIGC are prepared to wait to appoint Conte - even if that means at the end of this season.

Gazzetta dello Sport says contact has already been made, with Conte not turning down their approach. However, the Italian also will not leave Chelsea midseason with nothing scheduled for Italy until the Euros qualifiers after the World Cup.

Instead, FIGC are willing to wait until June to take Conte off Chelsea's hands - an arrangement which would suit Blues owner Roman Abramovich, it is claimed.

Abramovich is reluctant to sack Conte due to the payout it would involve and instead he'd welcome an approach from FIGC about allowing his manager to leave next summer.