Chelsea have reportedly made contact over a possible deal for Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola as Roman Abramovich looks to lure the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola is Abramovich's top target to replace Andre Villas-Boas, who was sacked at the start of March.
And according to the Daily Telegraph, Abramovich's advisers have spoken with Guardiola’s representatives to establish the Spaniard's intentions at the end of this season.
The 41-year-old is out of contract at Camp Nou at the end of the season and is yet to pledge his future to the Catalans.
Reports in Spain have suggested that he is considering stepping down as Barca boss at the end of next season, if not before, with much talk about him taking a year-long sabbatical from football.
However, Wednesday's report comes just days after weekend reports suggested that the Spaniard was set to be offered up to £10million per season to stay in football and move to west London.
And according to the Telegraph, Guardiola has told friends that there is an attraction for him in taking charge of a Premier League club. He is also said to be interested in living in England.
France coach Laurent Blanc, who is expected to step down from his role after Euro 2012, has also been in contact with Chelsea officials, although it is believed that both Guardiola and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho are above him on the list of targets.
Mourinho, who was in charge of Chelsea from 2004-2007, remains the bookmakers' favourite to be installed as Chelsea's next permanent manager.