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The search for a new Chelsea boss has apparently led owner Roman Abramovich to look to France where he is willing to offer national team manager Laurent Blanc £9million a year to take over the managerial hotseat.
Chelsea are hoping that interim boss Roberto di Matteo can help the club finish in the top four and secure Champions League football as it will be easier to attract big names to the club.
Blanc is out-of-contract after the European Championships and is yet to open discussions about a new deal, leading French paper La Parisien to claim that Chelsea will offer the job to the former Manchester United defender.
The French paper believes that Inter Milan are also interested in Blanc after sacking manager Claudio Ranieri, but Chelsea hope to beat the Italian club by offering him a staggering €1million a month.
The 46-year-old first cut his managerial teeth with Bordeaux as he led them to the Ligue 1 title and has since rebuilt the France national team after so many experience players quit international football.
France are currently on a run of 18 matches without a loss and his ability to transform an ageing team will certainly resonate with Chelsea who are hoping to do something similar.
Blanc has previously admitted he was interested in managing in England and also revealed his admiration for Chelsea, when Bordeaux played them in the Champions League in 2008.
"It is a big goal for me," said Blanc. "England is another planet with a real passion, a history, with great players and lots of money. Chelsea is one of the biggest European clubs."
