Inter Milan have opened talks with Cesc Fabregas as they push forward in their search to replace Simone Inzaghi.
Just three days after their humiliating 5-0 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, Inter confirmed that Inzaghi would be leaving the club.
Inzaghi is expected to accept a lucrative offer to take charge of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal - who have been in pursuit of the Italian manager for many months.
It seems as though they've finally got their man and, as a result, Inter have been forced to turn their attention elsewhere as they search for a successor.
Reports in Italy claim that Fabregas - who has been Como FC manager since November 2023 - is top of their shortlist and that discussions have already begun.
According to Sky Italy, the former Arsenal midfielder has already turned down an approach from German giants Bayer Leverkusen after Xabi Alonso's departure.
Fabregas was also targets by Roma however the Italian side opted for Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini instead.
Furthermore, as reported by Gazzetta, Fabregas is keen on the move and the potential career leap that it could provide him - having started out at Como.
The outlet claim that, on Wednesday evening, Fabregas spoke with Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta over the phone to discuss the potential move.
However, there are potential concerns that financial constraints could cause issue for the Serie A giants - which is why they've also shortlisted other names.
The same outlet claim that Cristian Chivu and Patrick Vieira are both also on the shortlist.
Chivu is currently at Parma but has plans to meet with club chiefs regarding his future, now that the current season has ended. Vieira, meanwhile, is manager of Genoa.
Fabregas, meanwhile, first arrived on an interim basis in November 2023 but was offered the full-time role in July 2024.
Since then he has taken charge of 38 matches for the side and, during that, secured promotion from Serie B to Serie A - before securing a 10th place finish this season.
Inter, meanwhile, were blown away by a stunning Paris Saint-Germain performance on Saturday, with the French champions triumphing 5-0 in Munich to win Europe's elite club competition for the first time.
The result completed an agonising end to the season for Inter, who also missed out on the Serie A title to Napoli by just one point.
Inzaghi has now decided to leave Inter and is expected to sign a three-year deal with Al-Hilal.