Chelsea will face Brazilian side Palmeiras in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday morning.
The Blues booked their place in the last eight of the competition with an extra-time victory over Portuguese side Benfica, while Palmeiras defeated fellow Brazilian side Botafogo in the last round.
Enzo Maresca’s side are the last English side left in the competition after Manchester City’s exit at the hands of Al Hilal, and the Blues will go into Saturday morning’s match as favourites to progress into the last four.
In the meantime, it has emerged that the West London side are considering a shock move for one of the stars of the tournament so far.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes via TEAMtalk, Chelsea are pondering a move for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia.
The 21-year-old has been in fine form at the Club World Cup, scoring three times for Xabi Alonso’s side including the winner against Juventus in the last round.
It is claimed that the Blues are prepared to make an offer of around £34.5 million for the young striker.
Garcia has emerged as a surprise target for Chelsea (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)
Garcia is a product of Real’s youth system and has now played ten times for the Spanish giants at senior level, scoring four goals and registering two assists.
The report suggests that Chelsea are hoping to sign the Spaniard as a replacement for Nicolas Jackson, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
So far this summer the London side have already signed forwards Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, with the former having already scored at the Club World Cup and the latter set to join Maresca’s squad for the game against Palmeiras.
Garcia is under contract with his boyhood club until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, however the report suggests that Chelsea could attempt to lure him to London this summer.