Luis Enrique wage demands may prove a hurdle Chelsea cannot overcome as they plan for life without Antonio Conte at the club next season, claims The Daily Telegraph.

Conte’s current deal is not due to expire until the end of next season and the Italian is adamant he will honour his contract unless told otherwise.

However, there is a belief that Conte will step down at the end of the campaign following two whirlwind years at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are drafting a list of potential replacements as a result.

Chelsea are currently out of the top four following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United and Conte may not even have a choice whether he wants to remain at the club if they fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Former Barcelona head coach Enrique has been heavily touted as an option to succeed Conte already this season but the 47-year-old will have to lower his wage demands.

Enrique has been out of work since stepping down as Barcelona head coach at the end of last season but is ready to return to management in the summer.

However, the Spaniard was reportedly earning around £16.5m-a-year towards the end of his time at the Camp Nou, which is nearly double what Conte currently earns.

Chelsea are 16 points worse off after 28 matches this season than they were last term and have also scored fewer goals and conceded more.

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