Back in business: Enrique has been on a sabbatical since leaving Barcelona last year

A path is clearing for Arsenal to appoint Luis Enrique as the successor to Arsène Wenger after it emerged Chelsea have cooled their interest in the former Barcelona coach and are instead targeting another Italian appointment. Maurizio Sarri, the Napoli manager, and Max Allegri, of Juventus, now top Chelsea’s list of candidates to replace Antonio Conte.

Chelsea had looked into hiring Enrique after he signalled his intent, earlier this year, to manage in the Premier League. However a combination of concerns about his wage demands and his temperament is believed to have dampened their interest.

Sarri is expected to leave Napoli in the summer and has no shortage of suitors — Zenit St Petersburg and Monaco are among them. Allegri is also much admired, having