Chelsea have lodged a bid for FC Tokyo forward Yoshinori Muto.
The J League club have confirmed an offer has been made and the Blues are expected to be willing to pay around £4million for the international.
FC Tokyo president Naoki Ogane said: “It is true that Chelsea sent us an offer for Muto.
“It is a formal offer with conditions. They want to acquire him in the summer.”
The 22-year-old was named in the J League’s Best XI in 2014, having scored 13 goals in 33 appearances in his debut season.
He has impressed again at the start of the new campaign, which started last month, and has already found the net three times in his first four outings.
Muto has represented his country 10 times and would not be eligible to move until the English transfer window moves in June, however the player is honoured to be linked with the west Londoners.
He said: “I have not decided yet at all.
“It is an honour for me to receive this offer from a great club."
Chelsea announced they had agreed a new five-year shirt sponsorship deal with Japanese company Yokohama, a contract believed worth £40 million-a-season, in February.
Completing a move for Muto would strengthen the club’s hold in the market.
Chelsea play QPR this weekend as they look to close in on the Premier League title, you can pick your starting XI below.
