Cesc Fabregas has reportedly been offered to Real Madrid, with the Chelsea star described as being unsettled without Jose Mourinho as coach.
The Spaniard joined the Premier League side from Barcelona in 2014, winning the league title in his first season with the club.
However, along with several other influential stars in west London, he was unable to reach those heady heights last year, which inevitably ended with Mourinho being sacked.
Fabregas made 49 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring six and creating nine, and it appears as though incoming boss Antonio Conte could be moving in a different direction.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish international ‘doesn’t feel comfortable’ at Stamford Bridge since the sacking of Mourinho last December, and in turn has been offered to the La Liga giants.
His exit would give the club and new coach Conte the opportunity to raise further transfer funds as part of his rebuild of the squad.
Nevertheless, despite the offer to sign the playmaker, it is claimed that Los Blancos have thus far rejected the chance to make a move for the time being, despite twice previously trying to sign him in 2006 and 2009.
Conte will be expected to be active in the market this summer, but his more immediate focus will be on helping Italy continue their success at Euro 2016 after their opening-game win over Belgium.
The former Juventus boss has been widely applauded for his tactics in that game, and it remains to be seen which players fit into his intended system and plans at Chelsea next season.