Chelsea have reportedly approached Napoli attacker Dries Mertens in the hope of agreeing a pre-contract with the Belgium international.
The 32-year-old, who has scored nine times and registered four assists in 22 appearances at club level this season, will see his contract in Naples expire in June.
Arsenal and Manchester United have both recently been credited with an interest in the attacker as he prepares to seek pastures new at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
However, according to le10sport, Chelsea have now made contact with Mertens to discuss a switch to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The former Gent youngster, who has been capped on 90 occasions by the Belgian national team, has managed 118 goals in 304 appearances for Napoli in all competitions.
Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have also been credited with an interest.
