City close in on £17m deal for Maresca

Manchester City are close to completing a deal to appoint Enzo Maresca as head coach, according to Sky in Italy.

It is being reported a verbal agreement has been reached between all parties, with Sky in Italy saying City will pay Chelsea more than £17m (€20m) in compensation to make Maresca Pep Guardiola's successor at the Etihad Stadium.

Sky in Italy also reported on Monday that Maresca is due to travel to Manchester in the next 24 hours to sign a three-year contract.

Manchester City and Chelsea did not comment when contacted by Sky Sports News.

Maresca, who departed Chelsea on New Year's Day by mutual consent, has been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge.

City have been in talks with Chelsea about compensation for Maresca, who left Chelsea still with three-and-a-half years left on his contract.