Chelsea have stepped up talks over a possible deal for Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram.
The 25-year-old is out of contract in the summer and Chelsea are exploring a deal now after contacting his entourage earlier in the window.
Thuram has interest from a number of clubs but had been considering seeing out the season to leave as a free agent.
Chelsea have also shown an interest in Thuram's brother, Nice midfielder Khephren, 21, as an alternative option to Benfica's Enzo Fernandez.
Newcastle have also been monitoring Kephren while both clubs also like Kouadio Kone at Gladbach.
Chelsea, who officially completed the signing of Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama yesterday, have also checked on Red Bull Leipzig winger Dani Olmo in case talks over Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk come to nothing.
Chelsea want the Ukraine flyer but believe his preference is to join Arsenal.
The Gunners are reluctant to pay an inflated fee, however, after offering a deal up to £62m including add-ons.
They are also trying to lower the loan fee asked by Atletico Madrid for forward Joao Felix.
