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Man City are expected to pay approximately £10m in compensation to Chelsea for their former head coach Enzo Maresca, according to reports.
The Manchester Evening News (MEN) claims the two teams are “close to reaching” an agreement following weeks of talks.
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It has been widely reported that Maresca will succeed Pep Guardiola in the dugout at the Etihad Stadium.
The Italian is a free agent and has not been in work since departing Chelsea at the beginning of this year.
However, the Blues believe they deserve compensation after City contacted Maresca while he was still in charge at Stamford Bridge
What reasons have Chelsea given for demanding the money?
Maresca still had three and a half years to go on his deal when he left the London club in January. Reliable reports suggested that he had been contacted by intermediaries representing City on several occasions before his exit.
Lawyers for Chelsea have argued that it was a breach of contract, and there were even suggestions that City could be reported to the Premier League for tapping up.
However, MEN report that as there are still good relations between the two clubs, there was never a real chance of things going that far, with compensation the main subject of conversation.
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When could Man City announce Maresca’s appointment?
Documents between the two sets of lawyers will still have to be signed off before any official announcement by the club is made.
The Cityzens are not believed to be in any rush. Maresca is reportedly in close contact with Director of Football Hugo Viana, who is conducting City’s transfer business.
Pre-season training also doesn’t start until mid-July due to the World Cup, so there is plenty of time for things to be sorted out.
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