Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has asked Bayern Munich about the availability of out of favour midfielder Renato Sanches, reports London Evening Standard.
Sanches is free to leave Bayern this summer after enduring a disasterous 12 months at the club since playing an integral part in Portugal's Euro 2016 triumph.
The teenager has fallen further down the pecking order this summer since the arrival of Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso and Bayern have conceded he can leave in search of regular playing time.
AC Milan were the fronrunners to sign the 19-year-old but have seemingly pulled out the race after admitting they can no longer afford Sanches having already shelled out nearly £200m on new players this summer.
Chelsea are now interested in exploring the possibility of signing Sanches, but it remains to be seen whether the Premier League champions would be prepared to match Bayern's €48m (£43m) asking price.
Conte has already signed Monaco ace Tiemoué Bakayoko for £40m this summer but wants to sign at least one more central midfielder with Nemanja Matic primed to leave.
The English giants were interested in Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan but have been forced to put a pin in their long-term pursuit after the Belgian signed a new four-year deal on Thursday evening.
Conte's side may have to lock horns with rivals Manchester United for the third time this summer, with Jose Mourinho's side reportedly keen on rekindling their interest from 12 months ago.
Sanches, who was named 2016 Golden Boy, finished last season as Bayern's lowest rated outfielder (6.43) in the Bundesliga after only managing six starts and a further 11 substitute appearances in the league.
