Chelsea have reportedly identified Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix as a potential transfer target for the January window.
Sitting nine points adrift of the Champions League places in the Premier League table, Chelsea are expected to be active when the market opens at the turn of the year.
If reports are to be believed, the Blues already have deals in place for Vasco da Gama youngster Andrey Santos and Molde striker David Datro Fofana.
More recently, it has been claimed that Chelsea are looking to strengthen their backline with the addition of Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile.
Nevertheless, despite those possible respective financial outlays, a major addition could be made in the final third in a bid to solve the team's goalscoring issues.
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According to The Telegraph, that could see the West Londoners move for Felix, who is available to depart Wanda Metropolitano before the end of next month.
Although the Portugal international impressed in the weeks before the World Cup, he is no longer regarded as first choice due to the breakdown of his relationship with boss Diego Simeone.
CEO Gil Marin has also acknowledged that the club-record signing could leave the Spanish giants over the coming weeks, admitting that the player sees his future away from Atletico.
The report suggests that Chelsea are contemplating whether to try to sign the 23-year-old on a loan deal until the end of the season.
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Atletico may insist on Chelsea agreeing to certain obligations regarding a permanent transfer, something which is likely to be deemed acceptable by the club's owners and Graham Potter.
However, Chelsea are unlikely to pay anywhere near to the £114m which Atletico paid out in 2019, even with Felix still having over three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.
Should they progress with an offer, Chelsea will face fierce competition from elsewhere, with Felix's stock remaining high having contributed a goal and two assists at the World Cup.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both said to have been contacted regarding a loan deal for Felix at a time when they each require new frontmen.
While Aston Villa have also been linked with a move for Felix, the interest in his signature will almost certainly see them miss out on an eye-catching transfer.
Darren Plant
