Head coach Thomas Tuchel may have reportedly done Chelsea no favours in their bid to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Braut Haaland.
The Blues were interested in the Norway international during the summer transfer window before discovering that it would take a bid of £150m to prize the player away from the Westfalenstadion.
Earlier this week, Tuchel spoke openly about the 21-year-old, suggesting that the European champions may renew their interest next year.
However, according to Bild, Dortmund may have perceived the comments to be the 'first public attack' to entice the player away from his current club.
While Haaland has a release clause in his contract, the Bundesliga side are expected to make an attempt to agree fresh terms with their star man.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are among the other clubs who are monitoring the situation.