Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd, who played for Coventry City from 2000 to 2003 is out of contract with the cash strapped Welsh club in the summer and manager Dave Jones is prepared to let the in form striker leave in January for a fee, rather than lose him for nothing in the summer.
Chelsea have joined the increasingly long list of potential suitors for the striker who made his England debut against France last November aged 28.
Already, Birmingham City and West Ham United have signalled interest in the striker who is expected to command a fee of around £2m in January.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has restricted Carlo Ancelotti's budget this season, severely restricting his options in the transfer market, but he considers Bothroyd could be good value for money as cover for Didier Drogba.