The Daily Mail report that the Blues are now the front runners for Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell.
The Blues will move for the defender once the transfer ban is over as they identified him as one of their key targets. Chelsea can make an offer for Chilwell as early as January if the appeal for the ban to Court of Arbitration for Sports goes through successfully.
Previously Manchester City were considered to be favourites in the race for Chilwell’s signature.
However, they eventually decided to turn their attention away as the defender extended his contract at Leicester until 2024.
The 22-year-old defender has also been linked with Arsenal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid interest in the past as well.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have allegedly alerted the top football agents that they will be back in transfer business in January, British outlet the Mirror report.
It is understood that the Blues are confident their appeal to the Court Arbitration for Sports will see the ban reduced to just one window.