Chelsea are seeking to supplement their forward line with the addition of 35-year-old Brighton and Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker is into the final 12 months of his Seagulls deal having extended his stay earlier this year.
Chelsea, though, are exploring the possibility of bringing him to Stamford Bridge in this window.
Danny Welbeck to Chelsea is ON
The Blues are reportedly keen to add Welbeck to Xabi Alonso's ranks due to the veteran's experience and leadership qualities.
Alonso arrived earlier this summer and has already overseen the signings of Morgan Rogers, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Denner and Dastan Satpaev, many of which were pre-arranged moves.
Chelsea's transfer policy in recent seasons has been to sign young, high potential players instead of those who are already the finished article.
Their Welbeck pursuit goes against this approach, indicating Alonso's desire for a more balanced dressing room in terms of the squad's age profile has been heeded by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
According to The Athletic, there is optimism on all sides to do a deal.
At present, the oldest member of Chelsea's first-team squad is goalkeeper Robert Sanchez who is 28.
FourFourTwo understands that internal club chatter suggests a move is advanced following initial positive conversations between the two teams, Welbeck and his representatives.
