Chelsea are ready to rival London rivals Arsenal for the signing of Nicolas Pepe, according to reports.
Gunners boss Unai Emery is said to be a big admirer of exciting Lille winger Pepe, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
But French media and now The Sun are reporting that Chelsea are now also showing an interest in Pepe and could be ready to rival Arsenal for his signing.
The highly-rated Pepe has scored 19 goals this season and reports suggest he has been lined up by Chelsea as a possible replacement for Eden Hazard.
Hazard, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires next year, shows little sign of signing a new deal and continues to be linked with a summer move to Real Madrid.
He left Lille to join the Blues, who could now be set to recruit from the French side again.
Chelsea have been hit with a transfer ban by Fifa but a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport would lead to it being lifted this summer.
That would enable the club to reinvest if they lose Hazard, who has made no secret of his desire to play for Real.