Patrick Vieira will meet with Sampdoria directors over the next few days, but they face competition from Lille.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Vieira is a serious candidate to take over at Marassi from Claudio Ranieri.

Alessio Dionisi is the favourite, but is finding it difficult to negotiate an exit from Empoli after taking them to promotion by winning the Serie B title.

Samp have therefore turned towards Vieira as another option and a meeting is expected over the next few days.

There is competition, because today L’Equipe suggested Vieira was also targeted by Lille.

Former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Vieira turns 45 later this month and worked as a coach with Manchester City, NYCFC and most recently OGC Nice, where he was sacked in December 2020.

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