Chelsea are set to ask Leicester for permission to speak with Enzo Maresca about their managerial vacancy, talkSPORT understands.
Maresca is one of the leading candidates to replace Mauricio Pochettino after guiding the Foxes to the Championship title.
Maresca previously worked as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at Man City, before leaving for Leicester last summer.
It is believed the Italian has a release clause of around £7.5million in his contract at the King Power Stadium.
Chelsea also have Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna on their shortlist, but Brighton are hopeful of landing him to succeed Roberto De Zerbi.
The Blues also have an interest in Brentford’s Thomas Frank while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been discussed as another potential option.
However it is unlikely that Howe will leave Newcastle for Stamford Bridge this summer.
Chelsea are aiming to make a swift appointment following Pochettino’s surprise exit earlier this week.
Having taken charge last summer, the Argentine led the Blues to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League after a much-improved second half of the season.
talkSPORT understands the Chelsea players weren’t informed before the story broke and were fully supportive of Pochettino, who is set to bank £3million following his departure.
Pochettino said: “Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history.
“The Club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
However Pochettino left the club by mutual consent, with Chelsea now looking to move quickly to find a replacement ahead of what will be a crucial pre-season for the club.