Reported Real Madrid target Carlo Ancelotti has asked to be released from his contract at Paris St Germain, according to sporting director Leonardo.

The Italian coach has just led big-spending PSG to their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years, as well as a Champions League quarter-final.

But in a meeting with Leo-nardo and chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi yesterday, Ancelotti told the pair he wishes to leave “for Madrid”, said Leonardo.

A vacancy is expected to materialise at Real Madrid this summer, with speculation continuing to link their coach Jose Mourinho with a return to his former club Chelsea.

Leonardo told L’Equipe: “Carlo has asked to leave for Real Madrid but we want him to stay. No decision has been taken, we listened to Carlo and we will have to see. The priority is still that he stays. We have not contacted any other coaches.”

Ancelotti has been granted near unlimited spending power by Al-Khelaifi and his Qatar Sports Investments consortium, which allowed him to build a new attacking line-up around Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore last summer.

Despite that, Ancelotti may feel a move to the Bernabeu would offer him a better chance to achieve Champions League success.

Real were beaten by Borussia Dortmund in this season’s semi-final, though they came close to overturning a 4-1 first-leg deficit.

They also beat Barcelona to last season’s Primera Liga title, though the Catalan giants have been dominant on the domestic stage this term.