Chelsea are reportedly pressing ahead with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Leandro Trossard.
The 27-year-old has been in impressive form for the Seagulls during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring seven goals and registering three assists in 14 Premier League appearances.
Trossard is said to have a close relationship with Graham Potter, who left Brighton to take charge of Chelsea towards the start of September.
The attacker's contract with Brighton is due to expire at the end of June, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future over the last few weeks.
Arsenal are said to be admirers of the forward, who is currently with the Belgium squad at the World Cup, while Chelsea have also been heavily linked with his services.
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According to Football Insider, the Blues have now started preliminary talks with Trossard over a move to Stamford Bridge in 2023.
The report claims that the capital giants are keen to get a deal in place as soon as possible, with Trossard's camp already holding discussions with senior figures at the club.
Brighton have allegedly made it clear that they have no interest in a January deal, but he would be free to leave the club at the end of the season if he does not sign a new deal.
Trossard made the move to Brighton from Genk in July 2019, and he has represented the English side on 118 occasions in all competitions, contributing 25 goals and 14 assists in the process.
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Earlier this season, the Belgian confirmed that he would be interested in making the move to Chelsea to link up with his former manager Potter.
"Our coach has now left for Chelsea, but speculations about me following him are pointless. If the opportunity arises, I want to go. But I do want to play and not sit on the couch," he told reporters.
Trossard scored a hat trick against Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League at the start of October, while he has also netted against Manchester City and Chelsea in the league this term.
The forward was a second-half substitute in Belgium's 1-0 victory over Canada at the World Cup on Wednesday, playing the final 28 minutes for Roberto Martinez's side in the Group F affair.
Matt Law
