Report: Chelsea prepared to make Conte highest-paid manager in club history

Chelsea is reportedly ready to reward Antonio Conte for his hard work.

According to the Guardian's Dominic Fifield, Chelsea is set to make Conte the highest-paid manager in the Blues' history as the club looks to improve on its conquest of the Premier League. The Italian manager signed a three-year deal last season that was apparently valued at £6.5 million annually, and talks are expected to be opened after the final of the FA Cup.

Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's billionaire owner, is reportedly likely to offer in excess of £7.5 million, which is what he agreed to pay Jose Mourinho in 2015. The Blues are apparently trying to ward off interest from Inter Milan, who parted ways with Stefano Pioli and is prepared to double Conte's salary, and the English club will look to do so by offering a contract that reflects what the animated maestro achieved in his inaugural season in the Premier League.

Conte is allegedly showing a desire to remain at Chelsea, as he and his wife, Elisabetta, are looking for schools in London for their daughter, Vittoria. But he will reportedly have a few demands, including greater input into transfers as the Blues are apparently willing to bankroll a sumptuous fortification of their squad this summer that could cost more than £200 million. He's allegedly also looking to appoint an Italian to his coaching staff to replace Steve Holland, who will become England's assistant manager at the end of the season.

As it stands, Conte is reportedly earning less than Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger, and Jurgen Klopp.