Chelsea are ready to replace £30m flop Danny Drinkwater with Nice's in-demand midfielder Jean-Michael Seri, according to reports.
After months of speculation, Drinkwater completed his move to Stamford Bridge last September, signing a five-year contract with the club.
But the 28-year-old is already being linked with a move away from west London after a season in which he made just 12 Premier League appearances.
Drinkwater was a key member of the Leicester City squad that stormed to the Premier League title two years ago but was unable to cement a regular place in the Chelsea team, playing back-up to N'Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
The Daily Mirror say Chelsea are now ready to cut their losses on Drinkwater - and they want Seri to be his replacement.
Ivorian midfielder Seri emerged as a target for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United last summer and is expected to be on the move in the coming weeks.
United have already signed Brazil international Fred this week, while Arsenal have reportedly cooled their interest in Seri, putting Chelsea in pole position to secure his signature.
Drinkwater made just five Premier League starts for Chelsea this season and a lack of regular football saw him left out of England's squad for the World Cup in Russia.
Chelsea, who finished fifth in the English top-flight but won the FA Cup under Antonio Conte, have also been linked with moves for Robert Lewandowski, Anthony Martial and Salomon Rondon.
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