Chelsea remain interested in signing Declan Rice, according to reports, after Graham Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel as their manager earlier this month.
The Blues have been linked with a move for the England international for several years, stretching back to Frank Lampard's time at the club.
Tuchel was known to be an admirer of the West Ham captain, who could leave his current employers next summer.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Chelsea are still keen to acquire Rice, with Potter prepared to give the green light to the deal.
The west Londoners are expected to sign at least two new midfielders ahead of next season, with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante both out of contract at the end of the current campaign.
Rice, who used to be on Chelsea's books as a teenager before being released, is thought to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United and Manchester City have also been linked with the 23-year-old, who has been valued at £150m by West Ham boss David Moyes.
But Chelsea hope that their London location will appeal to Rice, who was born and raised in the capital.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Blues have the funds to pursue both Rice and Jude Bellingham at the same time.
Reports suggest Chelsea are poised to step up their efforts to win the race for the in-demand Borussia Dortmund man.
Several other Premier League sides are interested in Bellingham, though, with Real Madrid among his overseas admirers.
Meanwhile, Potter will take charge of his first Premier League game as Chelsea boss against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Chelsea have failed to win three of their first six top-flight fixtures this term and go into the weekend eight points adrift of Arsenal in top spot - although they do have a game in hand on their London rivals.
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Richarlison has revealed that he chose Tottenham over Chelsea in the summer, thanks to an intervention by former Blues boss Antonio Conte.
The club are also keen to bolster their midfield in the winter window, with Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz having emerged as a target.
Elsewhere, Chelsea's search for a new sporting director continues after Christoph Freund opted to stay at Red Bull Salzburg.
