Chelsea would supposedly be prepared to offer Inter Milan as many as three players and a significant financial sum to sign Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez next year.
Enzo Maresca's team have been one of the unexpected success stories of the Premier League season, forcing their way into the title conversation as they sit third in the top-flight standings.
However, Maresca and his players have repeatedly played down the Blues' chances of sealing their first crown since 2017, especially after Boxing Day's 2-1 home loss to Fulham left them seven points behind Liverpool having played a game more.
Nevertheless, Chelsea remain one of the most potent attacking forces in the league, as their tally of 38 goals is only bettered by Liverpool themselves (40) and London rivals Tottenham Hotspur (39).
Much was made of Chelsea's failure to sign a big-name number nine in the summer, when moves for Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney fell through, but Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer have alleviated such attacking concerns with 21 goals between them.
Mykhaylo Mudryk among three Chelsea players offered to Inter?
© Imago
However, the West London giants could still revisit their attacking situation next summer, and according to El Grafico - via Calciomercato - Inter's Martinez remains hot on their radar.
The 27-year-old finally penned his long-awaited contract renewal with the Serie A champions over the summer, extending his stay until the summer of 2029, but he has not set the world alight this term.
Martinez has only scored seven goals in 22 matches in all competitions, in addition to four assists, and he had failed to find the back of the net in eight successive matches before ending his drought in Saturday's 3-0 win over Cagliari.
In spite of the South American's recent underwhelming form, Chelsea apparently accept that it would still be a 'very difficult' move to pull off, hence why they are willing to include three players in addition to 'a lot of money'.
Among the trio on the chopping block is Ukrainian winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, who is currently serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium.
Maresca has publicly backed the former Shakhtar Donetsk winger, but he had been struggling to make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge anyway, and his departure could be accelerated in the wake of this saga.
Which other two players could join Inter?
© Imago
In addition to Mudryk, the report adds that French defender Benoit Badiashile and midfield outcast Carney Chukwuemeka could also head to Inter as Martinez travels in the opposite direction.
Badiashile is currently sidelined for a 'long period' due to injury, but the Frenchman had only started two Premier League matches this season before entering the treatment room.
Meanwhile, Chukwuemeka has not made a single matchday squad in the top-flight campaign, and Maresca has conceded that the youngster will likely ask to depart next month.
Chelsea conclude the calendar year against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Monday evening before visiting Crystal Palace in their first game of 2025 on January 4.
Ben Knapton
