Frank Lampard was keen on signing Napoli’s Dries Mertens in January but the club’s offer for the striker was rejected by Napoli and the player himself.
According to Italian publication CalcioMercato, Chelsea could also miss out on signing the Belgian international in the summer.
Mertens has reportedly reopened discussions with Napoli about a new deal with just six months left on his Napoli contract.
Napoli are expected to offer Mertens a new two-year deal worth £4.2million (€5m) a year.
Chelsea’s failure to sign a forward during the January transfer window meant Olivier Giroud was unable to leave the club.