Guardiola's decision to quit Barca at the end of season alerts Chelsea

London, Apr 27(ANI): Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola's decision to leave the Catalan club has put Chelsea on alert, as owner Roman Abramovich has earmarked him as the man to replace former manager Andrea Vilas-Boas at the club.

Chelsea is expected to make a formal approach for Guardiola to take over as their manager if the Spaniard formally announces his plan to quit Barcelona on Friday.

According to The Telegraph, Guardiola has already told Barcelona he wants to leave after four years in charge, but senior club figures are still hoping that he can be persuaded to change his mind.

It is understood that Abramovich is putting pressure on Guardiola to quit and take over at Stamford Bridge even though the former has strongly signaled that he like to would take a year off from anything to do football.

Guardiola has apprised Barcelona, Abramovich and his friends that he is determined to take a sabbatical since he feels mentally and physically exhausted by the demands of being in charge of the Catalan club.

Abramovich is expected to try his best to lure Guardiola to Chelsea with an offer of not just a multi-million pound salary, but complete freedom to revamp the Chelsea squad, and create what one source claims a 'young, hungry new team'.

There have been reports that there has been a direct dialogue between Guardiola and Abramovich that continued after Chelsea's shock elimination of Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League earlier this week.

Guardiola also speaks effortless English, and although Chelsea would not be his only suitor the attraction of living in London for Guardiola and his family can be engaging. (ANI)