Report claims PSG have opened talks with Antonio Conte

PSG appear to have stepped up their search for potential summer replacements for Mauricio Pochettino following a report from L’Équipe that contained a rumoured shortlist of 10 managers.

One of the names featured was Antonio Conte, who a new report from CalcioMercato claims has been targeted by PSG.

The publication even goes as far to say that talks have already started as PSG look to take advantage of a reported clause in Conte’s contract which would allow the Italian to leave Tottenham at the end of the season.

Conte signed an 18-month deal with Spurs back in November. Since then he’s had a topsy-turvy journey in the dugout, from the highs of beating Man City at the Etihad to losing to Burnley four days later, swiftly followed by an FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Middlesbrough.

Conte is a passionate and emotional manager, illustrated in his post-Burnley interview during which he hinted he could leave Spurs. He wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to say what he thinks.

Spurs fans will, however, draw confidence from Conte’s recent comments regarding his future at the club: "For sure at the moment there is only one truth - I am committed to this club for another year. The club wanted this type of situation and I accepted it because it was good to get to know each other.

"After four months I think the club have understood the way I want to work and I understand the club. We have three more months till the end of the season to continue to improve our knowledge of each other and then to find the best solution for both.

"I can tell you that I am enjoying working for this club and I would like to fight for something important for this club. For sure it is true that I would like this - to fight for the future, to fight to be competitive, to fight to win and not only to finish fourth in the league, because I repeat, that is not my ambition.”

Conte is a serial-winner who demands the highest standards. If he doesn’t receive reassurances from Daniel Levy in regards to a transfer budget for incoming players, then he could decide his future lies elsewhere with PSG an obvious option should Pochettino depart this summer.

Conte is currently priced at 12/1 in the next PSG manager market, behind odds-on frontrunner Zinedine Zidane and River Plate's Marcelo Gallardo (10/1), with Arsenal's Mikel Arteta available at 16/1. Full odds below.