Paris Saint Germain and Carlo Ancelotti closer to deal

Carlo Ancelotti was spotted at a Paris hospital used by Paris St Germain yesterday amid reports he could sign as coach of the French Ligue 1 leaders soon.

Carlo Ancelotti and Paris Saint Germain may be getting closer to announcing a deal for the Italian to takeover the reins of the French Ligue 1 team.

PARIS // Carlo Ancelotti was spotted at a Paris hospital Thursday amid reports he could sign as coach of Paris St Germain soon.

A Reuters photographer saw the former AC Milan and Chelsea coach spend an hour at the Pitie Salpetriere hospital, which is used by PSG for staff medicals.

PSG are top of the French Ligue 1 but reports have persisted that their big-spending Qatari owners want a higher-profile coach than Antoine Kombouare, in place before May's takeover. Speculation has the Italian on the verge of signing a two-and-a-half year contract to replace Kombouare.

The club said last week that "serene discussions" were taking place with Kombouare but stopped short of saying he had been removed.

Any deal is complicated by the fact Kombouare is yet to be dismissed by PSG, who revealed last week they were in discussions with the 48 year old regarding his future.

Kombouare's place at the helm has constantly been the centre of scrutiny this season despite leading them to the top of the Ligue 1 table at the winter break.

The club's ambitious new Qatari owners have sought to reinvigorate the capital club with high-profile names.

Ancelotti, 52, fits that bill.

The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager could also be joined by David Beckham, whom he coached briefly at the Italian club during his first loan spell at the San Siro, in the coming days.

PSG are reportedly close to completing a deal to sign the former England skipper once his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy expires at the end of the month.