Chelsea have had a bid worth up to £24million rejected for Montpellier striker Elye Wahi.
The 20-year-old is keen for the two clubs to find an agreement allowing him a pathway to Stamford Bridge through partner club Strasbourg.
They are expected to take Wahi on a season-long loan deal, having already agreed to sign Chelsea winger Angelo Gabriel on a temporary basis after the pre-season tour of the United States.
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The newly purchased BlueCo group club is now managed by Patrick Vieira and part of Chelsea’s vision for a multi-club strategy.
Former Blues target Arsen Zakharyan is also in talks over a move directly to Strasbourg but Lazio are deemed favourites for the midfielder.
They want to heavily stock the team with some of the world’s best young talents who would be capable of moving to Stamford Bridge in one or two years.
Wahi isn’t currently deemed ready for Chelsea but was outstanding last season, scoring 19 goals and getting six assists in 33 games.
Mauricio Pochettino previously left open the idea of signing a striker but has seen both Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson play well on their preseason tour of the United States.
The club are increasingly expected to stick with the options they’ve got with Armando Broja on the verge of returning from a major knee injury.
Broja hopes to play some part in Chelsea’s last preseason match against Dortmund but medical staff are taking every precaution to ensure he doesn’t get reinjured.
Chelsea next face Fulham in Washington DC in their final Premier League Summer Series match.
