Chelsea move closer to managerial appointment as leading candidate identified

The Italian, who until last summer was Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City, took the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first time of asking after their relegation 12 months ago.

That, and the style of football with which he achieved it, impressed the Chelsea hierarchy who are looking for a successor to Mauricio Pochettino after parting ways after just one season.

Reports suggest that Chelsea have requested permission to speak to Maresca, for whom Leicester are reportedly demanding compensation to the tune of £10million.

Brentford's Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna, who promoted Ipswich from the Sky Bet Championship behind Leicester, were also obvious suitors for the role.

McKenna has also been linked with Manchester United and Brighton, but reports on Sunday indicated he was set to stay at Portman Road and sign a new deal.

Chelsea's task of finding a replacement for Pochettino, who left amicably after failing to reach an agreement with the club over his footballing responsibility, is being overseen by joint sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

A final decision on any appointment must ultimately be approved by the club's co-controlling owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, who is said to have been lukewarm on the prospect of Pochettino remaining in the job, and Jose E Feliciano.

Chelsea, Leicester and Ipswich have been contacted for comment.