Manchester City are close to reaching a financial settlement with Chelsea that will enable them to finally appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager.
It is no secret that Maresca has been City's top choice to replace Pep Guardiola for some time. The Italian has been out of work since his Stamford Bridge exit on New Year's Day, and his appointment had appeared a formality. However, almost a month after Guardiola ended his dominant decade at the Etihad, City remain without a manager.
The delay stems from Chelsea demanding compensation to allow Maresca to move to the Etihad. Lawyers for both clubs have been in ongoing negotiations to thrash out a deal that works for all parties and allows Maresca to finally take up his position in Manchester.
Maresca quit Chelsea with three and a half years left on his contract. He informed Chelsea officials last autumn that he had held talks with City about succeeding Guardiola, who had not yet decided when he would leave City.
Chelsea have demanded payment, believing they have evidence that the Italian breached his contract by talking to a Premier League rival. They want compensation for losing a manager who led them to Club World Cup and Europa Conference League glory the previous season. His departure ultimately led to a horrendous second half to last term, as Chelsea finished 10th and missed out on European competition.
City do not return for pre-season training until the middle of next month, giving them plenty of time to resolve the issue. It is understood they are close to a financial settlement, which, as first reported by the Guardian, is believed to be in the region of £10 million.
Chelsea paid Leicester City £8 million in 2024 to take Maresca from the Foxes, after he had led them to promotion from the Championship.
