Manchester City and Chelsea near financial settlement over Enzo Maresca appointment

Manchester City is close to reaching a financial settlement with Chelsea that would allow the club to appoint Enzo Maresca as manager. Chelsea is demanding compensation for Maresca’s release and believes it has evidence that he breached his contract by speaking with Premier League rivals while still employed at Stamford Bridge last season.

Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season and missed out on European qualification after Maresca resigned on New Year’s Day.

The club paid Leicester £8 million in compensation to secure Maresca two years ago and later made a multi-million-pound payment to Strasbourg to bring in Liam Rosenior as his replacement. Maresca informed Chelsea last winter that he had been approached by both Manchester City and Napoli.

Chelsea sources have indicated the club has enough evidence to report Manchester City to the Premier League for an illegal approach, but the club has no plans to file such a report and is continuing negotiations.

Chelsea has also considered a separate legal claim against Maresca for breach of contract, though that action is likely to be dropped if an agreement with Manchester City is reached. A settlement worth more than £10 million to Chelsea is viewed as the probable outcome.

Manchester City does not return for pre-season training until the middle of next month because 19 players are away at the World Cup.

Maresca is eager to begin work for the club as soon as possible. Chelsea and Manchester City declined to comment.