Antonio Conte has edged closer to becoming the next Chelsea manager after positive talks between his representatives and the Premier League club yesterday.

The Italy manager is keen to succeed Guus Hiddink in the summer, and he is now hoping to be offered a contract within the next 10 days.

The 46-year-old former Juventus manager has always been on Chelsea’s shortlist.

However, he has edged ahead of the other two contenders, Massimiliano Allegri – the current Juve manager – and Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone in recent weeks.

Yesterday’s meeting in London went according to plan, and both sides are now mulling over the finer details of a possible deal lasting three years.

Conte, who would earn £6.3 million a season before tax at Chelsea, is keen to return to club management after the European Championship in France this summer.

He has previously managed Arezzo, Bari, Atalanta, Siena and Juventus, before taking over the national team in 2012.

He won three consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus, and is considered to be one of the finest Italian managers of his generation. Guardian Service