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Chelsea have made further checks on Diego Simeone as they step up their search for Jose Mourinho’s long-term successor, writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People.

Sunday People Sport understands the Argentinian’s agent, his sister Natalia, has been been contacted by representatives of the club in the past fortnight and that Simeone is aware he remains the Blues’ No.1 target.

The 45-year-old has a release clause of around £3.1million in his contract at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, which would rise to around £5.4m should he lead his side to La Liga or Champions League glory this season.

Now Chelsea are preparing an offer to present to Atletico Madrid at the end of the campaign and, if Simeone decides to leave the Spanish club and his buyout figure is met, then they will not stand in his way.

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Sources close to Simeone say he has been steadily improving his English in recent months as he prepares for a switch to the Premier League.

He has been in charge of Atletico since 2011 and has another four years remaining on his deal in the Spanish capital, but has told friends he is beginning to feel the time is right for his next challenge.

The one demand Simeone, who earns around £5.5m a year, will make of Chelsea if they do reach an agreement is that the Blues reach an understanding with Atletico without any problems.

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The former Argentina midfielder will always hold the La Liga side close to his heart and does not want anything to sour his departure from the club when the time comes.

Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini has moved into pole position to replace Gary Neville at Valencia in the summer.

The Chilean’s representatives have been in contact with Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch in the past week and sources in Spain say the club believe they have a real chance of landing the former Real Madrid and Villarreal manager.

Neville will be hoping for a third win on the bounce when his side travel to Granada in La Liga today after notching his first victory against Espanyol in the league last weekend and following it up with a 6-0 Europa League triumph over Rapid Vienna on Thursday.