Antonio Conte is Real Madrid’s first choice to replace struggling head coach Julen Lopetegui and he has been approached by representatives of president Florentino Perez, according to reports.

Lopetegui, 52, is widely expected to be dismissed in immediate future –  likely once Sunday’s El Clasico at Barcelona is played – after a dismal four months at Santiago Bernabeu. Tuesday’s unconvincing 2-1 victory against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League snapped a five-match winless run, but did not alleviate any of the pressure which surrounds him.

Sky Sports have stated that Conte is the front-runner to take the post. He previously rejected Los Blancos in the summer because he wanted to take a break after his exit from Chelsea.

The ex-Italy midfielder is now happy to restart his managerial career if the right offer arrives.

Conte won three Serie A titles at Juventus from 2011-14. He then guided Italy, before a debut campaign in London for 2016/17 saw the Premier League captured.

A dysfunctional title defence then led to his dismissal in July.