Roma are ready to offer Maurizio Sarri an escape route out of Chelsea after former Blues head coach Antonio Conte turned down an offer from the Italian club.

Conte was Roma’s first choice to succeed Claudio Ranieri in the summer, but the 49 year-old has rejected their approach to wait for a better offer.

Sarri is No 2 on Roma’s list and sources in Italy believe the 60 year-old would be open to a return to his homeland.

An approach from Roma would also save Chelsea a tricky decision over their coach, who has succeeded in guiding the club back into the Champions League but remains unpopular with a large section of fans.

Large groups of Chelsea fans have chanted against Sarri and his style of football this season and it was telling that he did not join in the traditional ‘lap of appreciation’ at the end of the final home Premier League game of the season against Watford.