Chelsea have started planning for life after Petr Cech by entering talks with Stoke City over a move for Asmir Begovic.
And Blues boss Jose Mourinho has wasted little time in attempting to find the Czech’s replacement.
Chelsea are thought to have made a £6m offer for Bosnian Begovic.
However, Stoke are believed to be wanting closer to £10m for the keeper.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes does have a ready-made replacement for Begovic should he decide to leave the Britannia Stadium, in the shape of Jack Butland.
Begovic arrived at Stoke from Portsmouth in 2010, and was named the club’s Player of the Year in the 2012-13 season.
He is one of only five goalkeepers to have scored in the Premier League, in November 2013 against Southampton.
by Steve Osborne