According to reports, Chelsea have identified Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic as the perfect stand-in for Willian and are pushing ahead with their summer transfers.
The west London club still faces huge improbability over who their manager will be next season – with Antonio Conte expected to be replaced by Maurizio Sarri – but the club's chiefs are planning their summer business already.
The Daily Mail reports that a £22million contract for Russia's World Cup star Aleksandr Golovin is pushing ahead, but they also want to bring in Dortmund youngster Pulisic.
Pulisic has been marked down as a potential replacement for Willian, who is being linked with both Barcelona and Manchester United.
The Blues have already rejected a £50m bid from the Spanish giants, though such a huge offer would allow the club to bring in fresh young talent in Golovin and Pulisic.
Chelsea are now favorites to land Golovin, with CSKA Moscow likely to accept their £22m offer after Juventus pulled back at their asking price.
Chelsea are as well interested in young Juve center-back Daniele Rugani, who both Sarri and Conte know all about and are understood to be tieing up the details of a move that could reach £35m.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago