Chelsea will reportedly face competition from a Champions League club if they pursue a deal for Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier.
Although the Blues have been linked with a wide array of attackers in recent weeks, the name of Beier has been suggested in recent days.
The 21-year-old was a relatively unknown until this season, with the previous campaign spent on loan in 2.Bundesliga.
However, he chipped in with 16 goals and one assist from 33 top-flight outings during 2023-24, subsequently earning a call-up to Germany's Euro 2024 squad.
As a result, interest will naturally materialise for the versatile attacker, who has made one appearance off the substitutes' bench thus far.
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Chelsea facing rival competition
A previous report indicated that Chelsea are unlikely to wrap up a deal for Beier, potentially a result of his €32.5m (£27.5m) release clause.
However, a different report - this time from Sky Sport Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg - has claimed that there is 'concrete interest' from Chelsea.
Furthermore, Plettenberg says that Aston Villa are also prepared to test Hoffenheim's resolve for one of their most prized assets.
Each club are said to have gathered more information on Beier in recent days with the view of submitting a formal proposal in due course.
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Can either club afford Beier?
In the short term, there is no prospect of Villa making any kind of bid for Beier due to their ongoing issues with meeting the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Incomings and outgoings have already materialised on that front, while a complex part-exchange deal involving Douglas Luiz moving to Juventus and two players coming to Villa is in the offing.
From Chelsea's perspective, they are seemingly making every effort to complete the signing of Barcelona's Marc Guiu, while Villa's own Omari Kellyman is on the brink of finalising a £19m transfer.
The West Londoners would first have to oversee at least one sale if they wish to push ahead with their interest in Beier, but that process could speed up after Euro 2024.
