RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku has already undergone a Chelsea medical.
The Daily Mail says Chelsea's groundwork on a deal to land Nkunku next summer is already well underway including the French forward undergoing medical checks in Germany with a Blues orthopedist present.
Rather than moving during the summer, Nkunku instead signed a new two-year Leipzig extension that runs until 2026. However, crucially, his new agreement is thought to contain a release clause of just under £53m.
And, with their behind-the-scenes work on the deal, Chelsea hope they are well-positioned in the chase for Nkunku.