Chelsea are considering a surprise loan move for 36-year-old Stoke City striker Peter Crouch.
The Blues are looking at options amid concerns their prime initial target, West Ham striker Andy Carroll, will be out for a few months with an ankle injury.
The Stamford Bridge club only want a short-term deal as they will consider other transfer targets in the summer.
Chelsea are considering a surprise loan move for 36-year-old Stoke City striker Peter Crouch
Stoke will not let Crouch go without finding a replacement.
The Blues are also keeping an eye on Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, despite his lack of goals in the Premier League this season.
The Belgian forward has managed just one goal for the Eagles this season, but Antonio Conte is desperate to bolster his attacking ranks.
But their pursuit of West Ham striker Carroll appears to be unravelling after tests reportedly showed the striker’s ankle injury could rule him out for up to six weeks.
Sportsmail understands the two clubs had agreed a deal — without the knowledge of David Moyes — for Carroll to move to Stamford Bridge on loan. The deal would have gone through on the promise that Carroll would be sold in the summer and Moyes would be given the money to spend now.
But the potential transfer could now be off the cards, and it is believed there is a possibility the striker could even require surgery. Should Carroll need to go under the knife, he could face up to four months out.
Meanwhile, West Ham are continuing discussions with Inter Milan over the proposed loan of Portugal winger Joao Mario. The 24-year-old was understood to be reluctant at first but is now open to the idea of a move to London.