Sources: Chelsea in overnight talks with Mauricio Pochettino amid £15m update
Chelsea held overnight talks with Mauricio Pochettino in a twist to their managerial pursuit, sources have told Football Insider.
But Graham Potter is in pole position to be named Thomas Tuchel's replacement and a deal could be in place by the end of Thursday.
Potter's camp are in advanced talks with Chelsea and further negotiations were taking place on Thursday morning.
Brighton have cancelled Potter's media conference on Thursday ahead of their Premier League clash against Bournemouth this weekend in a clear signal that a deal is not far away.
Chelsea spoke to former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino, 50, about replacing Tuchel but have made up their minds on the Englishman, 47.
Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, the co-controlling owners of Chelsea, dismissed Tuchel on Wednesday morning hours before opening talks with Potter over taking the job.
Brighton granted permission for the London giants to begin negotiations with Potter.
It is believed Chelsea are willing to pay a £15million release clause in his Seagulls contract as well as offer him a lucrative long-term deal.
It is understood that the club had made the decision to sack the German at least a week before Tuesday’s surprise 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
They had identified the Brighton manager as their top target, with Pochettino as an alternative.
Potter is understood to be keen on the job and could now be on the touchline at Craven Cottage on Saturday when Chelsea face Fulham in their next Premier League encounter.