Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has met with departing Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri face-to-face.

Sarri's representatives spent seven hours with Chelsea directors in London on Monday.

And Italian transfer expert Alfredo Pedulla reports Abramovich was scheduled to meet with Sarri on Friday.

Abramovich is set offer the 59-year-old a two-year contract and meet the £7million release clause that expires on May 31, despite Napoli sacking him.

The Russian billionaire now needs to negotiate Antonio Conte's departure.

Conte was not happy with the club's recruitment last summer or in January and made his feelings public all season.

After winning the FA Cup last week, Conte refused to resign with the club liable to shell out £9m in compensation if they fire him.