Chelsea are continuing to pursue an agreement to appoint Christoph Freund as their new sporting director despite FC Salzburg's reluctance to allow him to leave, sources have told ESPN.
The 45-year-old has held a series of talks with Chelsea, who have identified several candidates including Bayer Leverkusen's Tim Steidten and Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Campos.
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Sources have also told ESPN that former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards has previously distanced himself from the role.