Chelsea go into the international break in a promising position, occupying third place in the Premier League table.
Enzo Maresca’s side cruised to a 3-0 win over Wolves in their last outing, and the West London side have also reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The Blues have been slightly less convincing in Europe, sitting in 12th place in the Champions League group phase table.
Away from the action, it appears that Chelsea are plotting a shock move for a former Premier League star next summer.
According to Fichajes, via CaughtOffside, the Blues are hoping to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez and are plotting a huge £130 million bid for the player.
Alvarez, 25, left Manchester City to join Atletico in 2024, having enjoyed a hugely successful spell in Manchester, winning seven trophies including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Alvarez has emerged as a target for Chelsea (Photo: Sipa US/Alamy)
He registered a combined 55 goals and assists in 103 games for City across all competitions, and he has since continued his good form in Spain.
Alvarez has scored 38 goals and provided 12 assists in 72 games for the Spanish side, but the report claims that Chelsea have set their sights on the Argentina international.
Chelsea will likely face stiff competition in the race to sign Alvarez, however, with French side Paris Saint-Germain and fellow Premier League outfit Liverpool also said to be showing interest in the attacker.
Alvarez is capable of playing in a number of attacking roles, including as a striker, attacking midfielder, or as a winger on either flank.
The Argentine is under contract until the end of the 2029/30 season, but it appears that the La Liga side may face a battle to keep hold of the player beyond nest year with Chelsea circling.