Chelsea are reportedly planning to table a £30m bid for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
Blues owner Roman Abramovich has personally sanctioned an offer for the England international in the hope of beating Bayern Munich to his signature, The Mirror claims.
The report states that contact has already been made between Chelsea and Rooney's representatives, but a firm offer is yet to be made.
The potential arrival of Everton manager David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement on the Old Trafford hotseat is said to be unlikely to convince Rooney to remain with the Red Devils.
Abramovich has allegedly told the player's representatives that he is "determined" to bring him to Stamford Bridge to coincide with the planned return of former head coach Jose Mourinho.