Chelsea are re-assessing Portuguese clubs as part of their plans for a multi-club network, after having a £35million bid for Portimonense turned down.
Standard Sport revealed in September that Chelsea were in talks to buy Primeira Liga side Portimonense after co-owner Todd Boehly confirmed he wanted to set up a stable of clubs.
Chelsea have identified Portugal as a good country in which to buy a satellite team but their offer to purchase a 75 per cent stake in Portimonense has been rejected.
Portimonense have previously rejected a similar approach from Manchester City and do not think they need influence or investment from an English club.
Chelsea have consulted with Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes over clubs to consider in his homeland and he is now tasked with finding alternative options, having built a positive relationship with co-controlling owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
The Blues want a club in Portugal to help them sign the best South American talent for less and at a younger age, as they could take advantage of more lenient work permit regulations in the country.
Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez for a British transfer record fee of £107million in January, just six months after he moved from River Plate to Benfica for £9m.
Boehly and Eghbali want to build a multi-club model like Manchester City and the Red Bull football group, who own Leipzig and Salzburg.
They are looking at clubs in France, Belgium and Brazil as part of a project that is being led by president of business Tom Click.
RC Strasbourg president Marc Keller has confirmed Chelsea are in talks to purchase a stake in the French club. Chelsea are thought have had bids for their Lyon, Bordeaux and Sochaux-Montbeliard rejected, though the club has declined to comment.
Chelsea also had an approach turned down last year for Brazilian giants Santos.
