Chelsea Reportedly Eyeing Diego Simeone as Antonio Conte Replacement

Chelsea are reportedly targeting Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone to replace head coach Antonio Conte at the end of the season.

According to Matt Hughes in The Times, though there are no imminent plans for Conte to be sacked, it is understood the Italian and the west London outfit will mutually agree to part ways at the end of the campaign because there are continuing issues "over Chelsea's transfer policy and [managerial] structure."

As a result, the Blues have started searching for a new manager, and Simeone is their No. 1 target. Napoli's Maurizio Sarri and Juventus' Massimiliano Allegri are also on their shortlist, Hughes added.

Simeone has enjoyed immense success with Atleti since he took over the Madrid-based outfit in December 2011.

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He has since led them to the UEFA Europa League, a Copa del Rey triumph, La Liga glory in 2013-14—breaking the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly for the first time in a decade—and two UEFA Champions League finals.

The former Argentina midfielder has turned Atleti into a European force and maintained the club's competitiveness despite a relatively tight budget compared with those of Barca and Real.

In September, the 47-year-old further committed himself to the Madrid club by penning a new contract until 2020:

However, per Hughes, Simeone may be open to considering his position at Atleti given the club is enduring a transitional period, although it is likely he would prefer a move to Italy—where he is wanted by former club Inter Milan—rather than Chelsea.

Conte, 48, won the Premier League last term, his first campaign in charge at Chelsea. And although Manchester City are running away with this season's title, the Blues continue to perform well under the former Italy manager.

It has long been apparent, though, that Conte's relationship with the top brass at Chelsea has deteriorated, with Jose Felix Diaz of Marca reporting as much in November.

Conte is still more than capable of doing his job well, and Chelsea could yet enjoy success in 2017-18, as they remain in contention for the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

If Chelsea can line up Simeone to take over from Conte at the end of the campaign, they could be spared the trouble that would come should the former Juventus boss depart midseason.