Maurizio Sarri has been given the go-ahead to leave Chelsea and join Juventus on a three-year deal.
Sarri’s agent Fali Ramadani met with Chelsea board yesterday and an agreement was reached.
However, Juventus will have to pay £5million in compensation to Chelsea because Sarri still has one year left on the two-year deal he signed with the Blues after leaving Napoli.
Sarri managed to return Chelsea to Champions League after finishing third and won Europa league despite criticism from a section of fans.
Chelsea also reached the EFL Cup final before losing to Manchester City on penalties.
He now looks set to replace Massimiliano Allegri in the Juventus dugout.
His compatriot won the Serie A title in all five seasons with the Old Lady – so the expectations will be high for his successor.
But for Chelsea, the familiar task of finding a new manager returns.
A potential swap with Allegri heading in the opposite direction is on the table with Watford’s Javi Gracia and Wolves’ Nuno Espirito Santo being linked.
It is also being reported that Chelsea legend Frank Lampard could be potential replacement after taking Derby to the Championship play-off final in his maiden season as a manager.
The news of Sarri’s imminent departure comes just hours after Real Madrid confirmed the signing of forward Eden Hazard.
Chelsea were slapped with a two-window transfer ban by Fifa after being found to have signed foreign minors and hence will not be able to sign a replacement this summer.
They have become resigned to the fact that they will not be able to sign players this summer but are hopeful of appealing the sanction to be able buy players in January.