Next Chelsea manager: Diego Simeone 'tells Atletico Madrid he's leaving'

The Argentine has long been linked with the Chelsea hot seat

(Getty Images)

Diego Simeone has told Atletico Madrid he will leave the club and join Chelsea in the summer, according to reports in Spain.

Ok Diario report that after four years in charge of the Rojiblanco, Simeone will leave as he wants a new challenge, while he is said to have been offered double his current wages by the Blues.

Simeone enjoys a brilliant relationship with the fans at Vicente Calderon and wants to leave with his intentions known, through the front door.

The former Argentina midfielder has won 151 of his 239 matches in four years in charge in the Spanish capital, leading the club to their first La Liga title in 18 years and also reaching the final of the Champions League.

Simeone has also brought a Copa del Rey and Europa League to the club, and has been Barcelona's main challengers in La Liga this season.

However, seeking a new challenge and with Chelsea prepared to offer a massive pay rise to €12milliom (£9.35m) per year, Simeone will be tempted away.

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Chelsea have been linked with numerous managers since sacking Jose Mourinho in mid-December, with Diego Simeone a name constantly in the mix; billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is believed to be an admirer.