Real Madrid have reportedly slapped a £67million price tag on Spanish international Alvaro Morata.
Chelsea are in the market for another new striker this summer and Morata, Edinson Cavani and Romelu Lukaku are all on Antonio Conte’s transfer shortlist.
Morata’s future has been shrouded in mystery during the transfer window as Madrid hold all the cards in this situation.
Zinedine Zidane’s side exercised a buy-back option to re-sign the forward from Juventus earlier this month.
However, Los Galacticos are considering shifting the Spaniard on again to make a healthy return on their reinvestment.
Former Madrid frontmen Alvaro Negredo, Roberto Soldado and Samuel Eto’o have all been sold by the Bernabeu outfit in a similar fashion in the past.
Watch: Chelsea's pursuit of Romelu Lukaku in focus
Morata’s agent, Juanma Lopez, confirmed Premier League clubs had made contact this summer and Chelsea are understood to be keen.
The Daily Mirror reports that Roman Abramovich sanction two bids of £50m and £62m but both were rejected by Madrid.
Conte has already added Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi to the ranks for next season and the striker got off the mark with a brace in an 8-0 friendly triumph on Thursday.
But more firepower is deemed necessary by the Italian boss as Loic Remy’s status at the club remains in doubt despite the Frenchman’s desire to fight for his place.
Conte refused to rule out another move for Morata after his second was rejected this week.
He said: "About this situation - I prefer to leave with the club.
"We know our targets and the most important thing is that between me and the club there is a great synergy on the transfer market.
"We know our targets and for me this is the most important thing. It is not important to speak outside but to keep the secret in this moment I think it is very important."
Rumours of a club-record bid for Lukaku have resurfaced this week but Chelsea are reluctant to pay a mega-money fee for a player they flogged for £28m two years ago.
His similarities to new signing Batshuayi also raise question marks over whether the Blues need both Belgians on their books.
