CHELSEA’S HUNT for a new manager is set to be followed by the search for a new shirt sponsor, with the club embroiled in a stand-off with Samsung over a renewal of their partnership. Officials, who are quietly confident that they can lure Carlo Ancelotti from Milan to succeed Guus Hiddink, have made representations to Samsung’s executives in South Korea and asked that the electronics company greatly increases its financial commitment.

Samsung is four years into a five-year contract and pays an annual €11 million to have its name on the club’s kits. Chelsea, though, have noted that Manchester United command around €22 million a year for shirt sponsorship and have told Samsung that they ought to enjoy a similar arrangement. Samsung, at present, do not agree.

There is a clause in the deal that effectively entitles Samsung to first refusal on renegotiation. The deadline, though, is at the end of next month and with both parties some distance apart, Chelsea could be forced on to the market, which might yet suit them.

Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, has said that Chelsea not only want to be “internationally recognised as the world’s number one football club by 2014” but they also want to become a self-financing business by 2010. As such, a shirt sponsorship deal is crucial. Their previous agreement was worth €24 million over four years with the airline Emirates.

The atmosphere in Milan, meanwhile, remains edgy after Silvio Berlusconi’s reported comments about Ancelotti. Italy’s prime minister was overheard saying that Ancelotti and his tactics were to blame for the club languishing behind Internazionale and although the manager is accustomed to the owner’s outspoken nature, he would still relish a dialogue.

A pre-contract that Ancelotti signed with Chelsea stated that Milan had to give their consent to his moving. Chelsea had been growing concerned as to where they stood with that to the extent that they set up a meeting earlier this week, but they now appear to be more reassured.

Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has claimed that both Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in signing the Inter Milan striker.

The Nerazzurri forward has scored 21 Serie A goals this season for Jose Mourinho’s side, who stand on the brink of winning another Italian title.

However, the 27-year-old is understood to be eyeing a move away from Inter to one of only four clubs who could pay his reported £160,000-a-week wages.

Guardian Service