Former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam says he has heard Chelsea are close to sealing a deal for Kai Havertz.
The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder is hot property this summer thanks to a campaign that has seen him score 16 goals in 41 appearances.
Chelsea have long been linked with him but have faced competition from Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
Adam now plays for Reading and featured against Chelsea in a friendly ahead of the Premier League restart at the weekend.
The 34-year-old was full of praise for the Blues and, speaking to BBC Radio Five Live's Football Daily, revealed that their players were confident about challenging at the top of the table next season after securing both Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Adam also revealed that he had heard the Blues were close to securing a deal for 21-year-old Havertz.
He said: "We played Chelsea during the pandemic in a friendly before the restart.
"Kante and Loftus-Cheek were sensational and, speaking to the lads, one or two signings and they'll be a force next year as well.
"They really fancy themselves next season."
He added: "This lad from Leverkusen, Havertz, I'm hearing is close to being done."
Havertz recently won praise from former Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who said he can see why Chelsea are keen on the player.
He said: "Kai Havertz is the real deal, he’s only 21 but he’s the quickest ever to score 25 goals in the Bundesliga.
"He can play as a false number nine, as a number ten or on the right side. His raw game is amazing.
"He’s been described as a combination between Michael Ballack and Mesut Ozil, that’s some combination.
"I’m sure Chelsea would love to have him, but they’ve got a lot of players there.
"Maybe that money they didn’t spend in the transfer ban, they’re ready to spend.
"Whoever gets Kai Havertz is getting a really special player, that’s for sure."
