Hiddink: the key to Ancelotti

Leonardo, the Paris Saint-Germain sporting director, had a meeting in Milan on Wednesday with representatives of Anzhi Makhachkala to negotiate the signing of Guus Hiddink. He currently looks the most likely manager to take over at PSG, and as such allow Carlo Ancelotti to move on.

The French club is taking steps to try and free  Ancelotti  and is working non-stop these days in an effort to bring in a replacement. The Laudrup option, in fact, no longer seems to be an option, with the Swansea manager declining the chance to move to Paris.

PSG hopes to resolve the issue of a new manager this weekend and, after several failed attempts with other managers (Mourinho, Capello, Rafa Benitez and Laudrup), Hiddink looks the most likely to step in.

Initially it didn't look like Anzhi was too keen on letting the Dutchman leave, having extended his contract for a season. However, the contract was renewed automatically, and the option of moving to PSG is still on, with the French club looking to find a way to negotiate his signing and open the door for Ancelotti to exit stage left.

It's Hiddink who has the key to open Ancelotti's path from PSG and allow him to fulfil his dream of working with Real Madrid. Negotiations are ongoing and they'll continue over the weekend, with some optimists claiming that the Italian may be able to officially sign for Madrid as early as Monday.