MAURIZIO SARRI has been blocked from finalising his move to Chelsea, it has been claimed.
Starsport reported on Monday that former Napoli manager Sarri was due to fly in and put pen to paper on a two-year deal.
But, according to Italian football journalist Raffaele Auriemma, he failed to board the plane to London.
Sarri was reportedly warned by lawyers he could face legal action if he made the trip.
Gianfranco Zola, who is set to take on a coaching role in the new management set-up, received a similar warning.
Chelsea have been haggling with Napoli over a fee to secure Sarri’s services.
Despite being replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, the 59-year-old remains under contract at the Serie A club.
Chelsea had reportedly settled on a £4.4m (€5m) compensation package for his services.
But Auriemma, speaking on Radio CRC, claims Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has not heard from the Premier League giants.
De Laurentiis has now reportedly taken charge of the Sarri case and is waiting for Chelsea to launch an offer.
f an agreement is struck between Chelsea and Napoli then Sarri will succeed Antonio Conte as head coach.
Conte has won the Premier League and FA Cup in two seasons at Stamford Bridge but is set for the chop as a result of his strained relationship with the club’s board.
Starsport understands Sarri has told the Blues he wants to live in Cobham, Surrey, close to the club’s training ground.