Chelsea to approach Leicester for Enzo Maresca after seven-figure release clause revealed

Chelsea will ask Leicester for permission to speak to Enzo Maresca about their managerial vacancy, talkSPORT understands.

Maresca is one of the main candidates to replace Mauricio Pochettino after leading the Foxes to the championship title.

Maresca previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant manager at Manchester City, before leaving for Leicester last summer.

The Italian is believed to have a release clause of around £7.5million in his contract at the King Power Stadium.

Chelsea I also have Ipswich Kieran McKenna on his short listbut Brighton has hopes of getting him to succeed Roberto De Zerbi.

The Blues also have interest in Brentford's Thomas Frank, while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been mooted as another potential option.

However, Howe is unlikely to leave Newcastle for Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea are looking to arrange a quick date following Pochettino's surprise departure earlier this week.

After taking charge last summer, the Argentine led the Blues to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League after a much-improved second half of the season.

talkSPORT understands that Chelsea players were not informed before the story broke and fully supported Pochettino, who will deposit £3million after his departure.

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Pochettino said: “Thank you to Chelsea's ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of the history of this football club.

“The Club is now well positioned to continue making progress in the Premier League and Europe in the coming years.”

However Pochettino left the club by mutual agreementand Chelsea are now looking to act quickly to find a replacement ahead of what will be a crucial pre-season for the club.