• Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis reveals Sarri stance on contract negotioations
• He adds that the release clause is still there for the manager
Chelsea-linked Maurizio Sarri, 59, seemed to be poised to put the rumours to bed by signing a new three-year deal at Napoli, but something has gone amiss yet again as the head coach cannot come to terms neither with the negotiations, nor with the club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis as the two have known some tension despite Sarri guiding the Naples team to a second-placed finish with a mad 91 points.
De Laurentiis has cast doubts over Sarri’s future yet as Chelsea are probably still aiming to replace Antonio Conte after just two years. De Laurentiis has spoken of Sarri talks: ''There is no more time For Sarri, he didn’t answer. Ask him, he has always sent me to Pellegrini [Sarri's agent], he never gave me an answer. He only replied, 'boh!'
The president even suggests he may see no more of his record-breaking coach: "I have to take responsibility. At some point we have to move forward. 'I'm not saying he'll leave. There is a release clause, we'll see what will happen."
Should Sarri leave Napoli and join Chelsea, up to three players reportedly may follow him. These are central defender Kalidou Koulibaly, midfielder Jorginho and full-back Elseid Hysaj. However, a lot may depend on the way Sarri leaves Napoli, if that is the case.
If Conte is gone, then surely Sarri is the best replacement?