Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their interest in Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric, who is also a target for Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Chelsea failed with several bids to sign Modric last summer, with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insisting the Croatia international was not for sale "at any price" after rejecting a £40million bid from Stamford Bridge.
Levy faces a tougher task to keep Modric at White Hart Lane next season, with the 26-year-old thought to be preparing to hand in a written transfer request in the coming days.
And according to the Daily Telegraph, Chelsea are ready to launch a new bid for the midfielder, with Real Madrid's interest said to have cooled in recent days.
Real Madrid were thought to be open to the idea of a cash-plus-player deal involving midfielder Nuri Sahin, but the Turkey international has insisted he has no interest in moving to England, scuppering a deal.
Modric is still believed to be Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson's top summer transfer target, but whether the Red Devils are prepared to meet Tottenham's valuation remains to be seen.
Earlier this week, former Real Madrid midfielder Guti said he did not believe Modric had done enough to warrant a place in Jose Mourinho's side next season.
"He [Modric] hasn’t even been the key man for Tottenham, I don’t think he’s done enough to play for Madrid," the former Spain international, who made over 500 appearances for Real, told Marca.
"I would go for David Silva in this position. I think he’s the ideal player for Real Madrid.
"He’s young, has bags of talent and potential, and has achieved great things with Manchester City and Spain."