Chelsea are expected to bring in a striker in January to alleviate the pressure on out-of-form summer signing Alvaro Morata.
Antonio Conte has shown he is not willing to play Michy Batshuayi, leading to a host of players being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Fernando Llorente’s name has been bandied about after the Blues missed out on him in the summer to Tottenham and Andy Carroll is also being eyed.
However, an injury to the West Ham forward has reportedly seen Chelsea switch their attention to an even more unlikely target – Peter Crouch.
The Mirror claim the Blues are actively pursuing tall and combative strikers and had hoped to bring in Carroll.
However, an ankle injury has forced him out for around four to six weeks which has prompted their interest in Crouch.
The 36-year-old would be an experienced addition to their line-up but he will not come cheap having just signed a new deal with Stoke.
The former England international was due to be out of contract in the summer but penned an extension last month.
The unlikely move for Crouch seems to reflect the current situation at Chelsea whereby Conte gets little say on transfers.
The former Juve boss admitted last week the Blues were likely to do more business but he revealed those above him were making the “final decisions”.
When asked about more transfers, Conte replied: “I don’t know. The club knows very well my opinion.
“This is the best way, to speak with the club, to give my opinion if we need other players, to improve the numbers of the squad.
“Then the final decision is for the club.”