Chelsea are leading the chase for the signature of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, but the European champions face stiff competition from Real Madrid.
Toure's agent shocked everyone Tuesday by saying his client would leave the English Premier League champions if a new contract was not agreed by Saturday.
That grabbed the attention of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, with the Blues and Real particularly showing a keen interest.
Chelsea do have players like John Obi Mikel and Ramires in their squad, along with Oriol Romeu, but there is little doubt that buying a player of Toure's caliber will only make them into a stronger team, while also crucially weakening one of their title rivals City.
Under FIFA rules, players over 28 can buy out the remaining years on their contract, if they have remained with the club for over three years.
Toure is currently earning £220,000 a week ($332,000), and will have two years remaining on his deal at the end of the season. If the 29-year-old does indeed make a decision to buy out his contract, it will cost the player around £23 million ($35 million).
Chelsea will gladly pay that amount to Toure, as a signing-on fee, according to The Sun.
The Blues are also reportedly looking at bidding for midfielder Marouane Fellaini, but might decide against a move for the Belgian if the Toure signing comes to fruition, leaving the door open for the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United to make a move for the Everton man.
It still remains to be seen whether a player of Toure's caliber will be let go by City, particularly if he will be able to sign for a direct rival like Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Chelsea skipper John Terry continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge with Turkish club Fenerbahce showing an interest in the defender, according to reports in Turkey.
Terry has been sparsely used by Rafa Benitez this season, as he continues to fight with injury problems. Chelsea have been ruthless lately when it has come to their experienced players, letting go of Didier Drogba, while refusing to offer a new contract to Frank Lampard.
Terry is also interesting clubs from the Middle-East and the former England international might be tempted to make a lucrative move.
