Liverpool have agreed a British record transfer fee of £111m with Brighton for midfielder Moises Caicedo.
However, Chelsea are now trying to secure a deal for the Ecuador international despite Brighton rejecting a succession of bids from the club earlier in the summer.
It is thought the 21-year-old’s preference would be to move to Stamford Bridge.
It remains to be seen whether the Blues will now match Liverpool’s bid.
Brighton had set a fee in excess of £100m for Caicedo and had said they felt no-one would reach it. Chelsea are believed to have bid £80m previously.