Revealed: Why Chelsea face paying over Ksh 1.5 billion in manager saga

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Maurizio Sarri has moved a step closer towards a Chelsea exit - paving the way for Frank Lampard to return to Stamford Bridge.

Sarri’s representatives met with Chelsea executives on Friday with Juventus keen to appoint the 60-year-old Italian as their next manager.

The Italian will head to Juventus next season after the sides agreed to a £7m compensation deal.

Chelsea would see Lampard as a potential successor this summer and the ex-England midfielder would find it hard to resist leaving Derby if his old club comes calling.

However, there is twist in the Lampard transfer story after his current employers Derby County pulled one clever piece of business during his appointment as their manager in 2018.

The Championship side inserted a sneaky Champions League clause which requires the Blues to pay £4m thanks to them participating in Europe’s elite competition next season.

As things stand, Chelsea are yet to make a formal approach for their former player despite being the fan’s favourite to take over.

Should he sign this summer, he would rewrite the club’s history by becoming the first English tactician to take charge of the London side in 26 years.