Chelsea are locked in a battle with Real Madrid to make Zinedine Zidane their next manager, according to a report.

The Blues are allegedly weighing up potential managerial options for next season, despite Maurizio Sarri turning things around with three wins in a row.

Zidane is the man Roman Abramovich wants to guide Chelsea forward following the Frenchman's incredible success at Real, where he won the Champions League in each of his three seasons in charge.

According to The Sun, Chelsea were happy to wait until the summer before opening discussions with Zidane, which would at the same time give Sarri a chance to prove that he is the right man for the job.

However, it is claimed that Real's shock exit from the Champions League earlier this week means that things are now moving behind the scenes at the Bernabeu.

Real president Florentino Perez is said to have approached Zidane about returning to the club less than a year on from departing, potentially forcing Chelsea to make their move earlier than they would have liked.

Juventus are also believed to be in the running to appoint the 46-year-old, amid rumours that Massimiliano Allegri is on his way out of the Allianz Stadium.