Chelsea transfer news: Abramovich launches bid for Monaco boss, Mourinho not ready to give up on Blues' star midfielder, and more - 5th April 2018

Chelsea interested in replacing Antonio Conte with Leonardo Jardim

According to Daily Star, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has agreed to leave Italy and replace the embattled Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge. However, latest reports in Metro suggest that Chelsea is exploring the possibility of replacing Conte with AS Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim at the end of the season.

Roman Abramovich will have to give Conte a £9 million payout if the club chooses to fire the manager, who won the Premier League title in his first season.

Moreover, as many as nine first-team players, including Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois are in contract extension talks and the financial cost would be a huge burden for the club to bear.

As far as Jardim is concerned, the 43-year-old is into his fourth season at the Ligue 1 club and helped them win the title last year.

Chelsea's longest-serving player leaves the club

End of an era

Goalkeeper Matej Delac, Chelsea's longest-serving player following John Terry's departure, is finally leaving for a move to Danish Superliga side AC Horsens, after 9 years at the club without making a single appearance.

Verry happy to signed contract with @ACHorsensGULE till 30.6.2020. Looking forward to play for this club! Can’t wait to join the team for next season😊⚽️ https://t.co/rgNnjZFDTN

— Matej Delač (@MatejDelac) April 4, 2018

The 25-year-old, who signed for the Blues in 2010 from Croatian side Inter Zapresic, has been loaned out ten times, to clubs like Vitesse, Vitoria de Guimaraes, FK Vojvodina, and FK Sarajevo.

The former Croatian Under-21 international, whose contract expires in the summer, was most recently loaned out to Belgian side Mouscron.

Last year, Delac admitted he had no regrets in joining Chelsea despite having never been chosen to play for them. "Many people ask me do I regret coming to Chelsea so young, and not joining some smaller club, but I feel no regret", he said.

"The problem was not my quality, Chelsea believed in me, extended my contract several times, but the problem was always my work permit. They had a plan for my career, but you can not plan some things."

Willian could end Juan Mata's United career

Willian has been impressive despite Chelsea’s struggles

According to the Sun, Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho is not ready to drop his interest in Chelsea midfielder Willian as Juan Mata could be heading for the exits.

The Portuguese manager is eager to sign his former charge after a failed attempt last year. He recently praised his former player saying, "Do you want to talk about Willian? Top, cream of the crop, he’s amazing."

The 29-year-old Brazilian had revealed that he is very happy at Stamford Bridge but United are now confident of landing the midfielder after Blues' forgettable campaign this season.

Willian's current contract does not expire until 2020 and the London club would demand a £30million fee, the same price they paid to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013.

On the other hand, Mata, who made 182 appearances, scoring 39 goals, is tied to Old Trafford until next summer.