Abramovich, centre, is prepared to authorise the spending of more than £200 million this summer

Roman Abramovich met Antonio Conte for talks last week in an attempt to secure the Chelsea manager’s long-term future at the club. They discussed the Italian’s new contract, key transfer targets and ideas for restructuring certain elements of the club’s operations. The Premier League champions are confident that he will sign a new deal when he returns for pre-season training next month.

Conte has kept in touch with the Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emenalo almost daily throughout his holiday in Italy, but direct communication with the owner is less regular.

It is understood that Abramovich contacted Conte to suggest a meeting after the manager became frustrated at the club’s slow start to the transfer window, with the former Manchester City goalkeeper