Scott Parker is hoping to seal a move to Chelsea - but not on loan.
According to The Sun, new Stamford Bridge boss Andre Villas-Boas is weighing up a £7.5million bid for the England and West Ham midfielder.
Aston Villa have already failed with a £7m attempt for Parker, 30.
Tottenham have ruled themselves out of the running, insisting the overall package would be too expensive.
SunSport revealed last week that Parker, who signed for Chelsea from Charlton for £10m in 2004, was initially a loan target for the Blues.
Making it a temporary switch did interest West Ham but Parker would have found himself back at Upton Park in a year's time - so is keen for a permanent deal.
Parker, though, has still impressed the Hammers with his attitude and played 45 minutes in a pre-season game at Bishop's Stortford on Saturday.
Chelsea are set to loan new keeper Thibaut Courtois to Atletico Madrid.
Villas-Boas has agreed a £7.8m fee for the Genk keeper, 19, who had a medical yesterday.