Chelsea Reportedly Targeting Monaco's Leonardo Jardim to Replace Antonio Conte

Chelsea have reportedly asked about the availability of AS Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim amid rumours the club will replace Antonio Conte this summer.

The Blues have "made preliminary inquiries" with the Ligue 1 outfit, according to Duncan Castles of Yahoo Sport UK.

Castles noted how Jardim is contracted at the Stade Louis II until 2020, while describing the former Sporting CP boss as "well settled" in the principality.

Even so, Chelsea may feel confident about being able to lure him with the challenge of trying to prove himself in the Premier League. The 43-year-old won the Ligue 1 title last season and also guided Monaco to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

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However, Jardim saw his squad picked clean by Europe's biggest spenders during last summer's transfer window. Tiemoue Bakayoko joined Chelsea, while Manchester City signed Benjamin Mendy and domestic rivals Paris Saint-Germain snatched star forward Kylian Mbappe.

Jardim has the credentials to replace Conte, who looks increasingly like he's heading for the exit door at Stamford Bridge. Former Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli recently told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia) Conte "can't wait to leave."

The man who claimed the Premier League title in 2017 has since been at odds with the Blues over the club's transfer policy. Now Chelsea reportedly have more than one name lined up to replace the former Juventus boss.

Aside from Jardim, Juve's Massimiliano Allegri is also in the frame. 

The Sun's Neil Ashton said Allegri wanted to take over at Arsenal last summer, but he is now preparing for the Chelsea hot seat instead.

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Jardim may be easier to get, especially if he is tired of competing with PSG. The mega-rich club from the capital city has bossed France's top flight this season.

Les Parisiens also recently beat Jardim's Monaco 3-0 in the Coupe de la Ligue final.

Chelsea's interest could make this the ideal time for Jardim to move on and benefit from the resources available under owner Roman Abramovich.