Chelsea will not stand in the way of Maurizio Sarri if Juventus offer to pay up to £5million in compensation to take him back to Italy.

Sarri has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the Juve job, following the departure of Max Allegri, and Chelsea are aware of interest in their head coach from Italy with Roma also seeking a new manager.

The Blues will not make any decision over the future of Sarri, who was twice close to being sacked this season, until after the Europa League final against Arsenal next week.

Qualification to the Champions League along with the possibility of a trophy had enhanced Sarri’s prospects of holding on to his Chelsea job for a second season, although his criticism of the club’s post-season trip to America did not go down well.

Sarri has publicly insisted that he wants to stay in Chelsea and England, but there are suspicions that he would privately be keen on a return to Serie A.

With doubts over his future remaining and the club still concerned about his relationship with a group of match-going supporters, Chelsea would not try to hold Sarri against his will if he expressed a desire to succeed Allegri at Juve.

Frank Lampard would be a contender if Sarri were to leave credit: PA

The 60-year-old has 12 months remaining on his £5m-a-year contract, which means Chelsea would demand compensation if Juve make a move.

Allowing Sarri to join Juve, or any other club, would save Chelsea the threat of another legal battle with a manager in the event they sacked him either during the summer or next season.

Chelsea’s dispute with Antonio Conte went to a Premier League tribunal, which their former head coach is understood to have won to the tune of £9m.

Were Chelsea to collect compensation for Sarri, then they could reinvest the money in to appointing his successor. Frank Lampard is one candidate who still has two years remaining on his Derby County contract. As first revealed by Telegraph Sport, former Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to return to the club in a technical role during the summer.

Chelsea have confirmed that Olivier Giroud has signed a one-year contract extension and the striker said: “I am very happy to sign a new contract. I really wanted to stay at least one more year - I have felt a part of the team, the family, since the beginning and hopefully there will be more trophies to come.”