AC Milan have made contact with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte about a return to Italy next summer, according to Calciomercato.
The Italian outlet claim that the Blues boss is Milan’s ‘ultimate dream’, and report that the club tried to recruit him last summer before appointing Vincenzo Montella.
Montella has now been sacked after Milan’s poor start to the season, currently sitting in 7th in Serie A, and legendary midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has been placed in charge until the end of the season.
The report claims that the club are happy to allow Gattuso the rest of the season, but are looking to appoint a top-level manager in the summer.
Calciomercato also report that Milan’s sporting director, Massimiliano Mirabelli, travelled to London on November 14th for England’s game against Brazil, and there made contact with Conte’s representatives.
Conte has been told that he is Milan’s number one priority for next summer. The Italian is said to be happy at Stamford Bridge, but wants the club to back him heavily in the upcoming transfer windows.
OPINION
While Conte is said to be happy at Chelsea, it would not be a surprise to see him leave Stamford Bridge in the summer. His rocky relationship with the club’s board is well-publicised, and if he does not receive their backing in the transfer windows coming up then he may well leave. Milan have had a poor few seasons but still remain one of Europe’s premier teams, and a return to Italy may be a draw for a manager who doesn’t seem too fond of English football.