Antonio Conte is willing to take over the reins at Inter Milan only if they make him the highest paid manager in the Serie A. Conte, 49, is on the lookout for a new job after sitting out this season following his sacking by Chelsea in the summer.

The Italian has been linked with several top clubs but Inter are stepping up their interest in the former Juventus and Italy manager. Inter bosses are keen for a fresh start next season, and hope to secure a first Serie A title since 2010.

Conte has been without a side for almost a year now, but would not prove a cheap option for the Nerazzurri as reports suggest he is demanding a £9 million salary to take on the role. If Inter give Conte what he wants then he would earn £2.5m more than Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri, who is currently Serie A’s highest-paid manager.

Inter will have to shell out £21.5m if they are to sack current boss Luciano Spalletti. Spalletti, whose current deal runs out in 2021, could lose his job despite his side being in third spot with seven games to go. Despite their league position, Inter are 27 points behind league leaders Juventus.

With Icardi’s future in doubt, and another star Ivan Perisic a target for a number of top Premier League sides, Conte could have a major rebuilding project on his hands. While at Chelsea he became the first manager in history to win three consecutive Premier League Manager of the Month awards (October, November and December) in 2016.

On 12 May 2017, Conte’s Chelsea side defeated West Bromwich Albion 1–0 away, with a late goal from substitute Michy Batshuayi, and secured the points required to win the 2016–17 Premier League title with two matches to spare. On 19 May 2018, Conte led Chelsea to a 1–0 victory over Manchester United in the 2018 FA Cup Final.