BLUES FACE £9M BILL TO AXE CONTE

ANTONIO CONTE is ready to go into battle with Chelsea over the final year of his £9million-a-year contract.

The Italian looks certain to leave this summer, but is making it clear that he will not simply walk away and has yet to receive a firm job offer.

The Blues boss (right) will carry on insisting publicly that he wants to stay despite growing doubts over his future.

It leaves Chelsea facing the prospect of having to pay up his contract if he refuses to go and they want a new manager.

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri is the favourite to take over, with Juventus chief Max Allegri and former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique also in the frame.