Rumors are out that Italy national football team manager Antonio Conte is "close to landing" the Chelsea head coaching job after the two parties have recently held "positive talks" between them.

The Guardian reported that the 46-year-old bench tactician, who have also previously handled Italian clubs Juventus FC and Atalanta BC, "has edged closer to becoming the next Chelsea manager after positive talks between his representatives and the Premier League club on Thursday".

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Conte is said to be "one of three names" in the Blues' shortlist of possible replacements for the sacked Jose Mourinho, with the other ones being current Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

Allegri is said to be keen on staying in Turin with Juve still on top of the Italian top flight's table as of the moment. Allegri and his boys have a chance to claim five straight Serie A titles, two straight for the coach, if they win again this season.

Meanwhile, Simeone is also in the thick of things in the current La Liga season with Atleti placing second behind powerhouse squad FC Barcelona in the overall standings.

Conte's contract as Italian head coach will expire at the end of the season and so the Pensioners are looking closely at him to take over from interim head coach Guus Hiddink when summer comes.

Sources have told The Guardian that the meeting on Thursday was "very positive" as Conte and Chelsea are said to be "mulling over the finer details of what could be a three‑year deal".

The Mirror noted that Manchester City's outgoing coach Manuel Pellegrini is also a candidate, but his chances of being chosen are slim as compared to the Italian.

Conte is a former five-time Serie A champion footballer, winning the trophy with Juventus in 1994-1995, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 2001-2002, and 2002-2003. He played the central midfielder position for 13 years with La Vecchia Signora from 1991 to 2004.

TagsFootball News & Rumors, Antonio Conte, Italy national football team, Chelsea FC, Juventus