Chelsea have reportedly been scouting Monaco teenager Benoit Badiashile this season with a view to a potential swoop for the centre-back.
The Blues are currently banned from signing new players, although the club are said to be hopeful of overturning the suspension in time for the January transfer window.
According to Le 10 Sport, the Premier League side are lining up a move for Badiashile, who has impressed Chelsea scouts with his performances in the early stages of the 2019-20 campaign.
The report claims that Frank Lampard's side are keen to do a deal in January, but the club would also be prepared to wait until next summer in order to sign the France Under-19 international.
The 18-year-old has already made six Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco this season, while he turned out on 26 occasions for the principality club during the 2018-19 campaign.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United have also both previously been credited with an interest in the teenage defender.