Chelsea are prepared to launch a full-scale attempt to land England hotshot Harry Kane next summer.
The Barclays Premier League champions have joined Manchester United in taking admiring glances at the Tottenham striker.
Stamford Bridge scouts will use Sunday's clash against Spurs to add to their dossier of the striker.
The Blues are in the midst of a global search to identify a new first-choice central striker with Diego Costa's future as the club's No 1 forward under review.
Further question marks over Costa's long-term future emerged on Tuesday night following a half-time spat with Jose Mourinho during the comprehensive win against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
And Kane is emerging as a shock name on the west London club's list.
The 22-year-old's rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed by Chelsea. The fact he is English, meaning he fits in with homegrown quota rules, merely adds to the obvious attraction.
Tottenham, however, have been absolute in their stance that Kane is not for sale - a message rammed home in the summer as they rebuffed Louis van Gaal's overtures.
Indeed, Chelsea realise getting Kane out of White Hart Lane is likely to prove a mountainous task given Daniel Levy's famed negotiating style.
But if Tottenham were to show any indication they'd be willing to sell, then Chelsea are ready to throw significant resources to land the forward.
Given Spurs' attempts to break into the top four, Chelsea know any move for Kane in January would almost certainly end in failure.
So any switch will likely occur at the end of the season, despite the fact Chelsea want to sign at least one new striker in January.
Spurs are well aware of Kane's rapidly rising stock across Europe with Bayern Munich also credited with showing an interest.
The forward put pen to paper on new £35,000-per-week contract, which expires in 2020, earlier this year.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...hock-summer-Tottenham-striker-Harry-Kane.html
According to the Daily Star they're also considering whatshisface that we released earlier this season as a short term fix.