Chelsea are weighing up making a substantial offer for Everton's England midfielder Jack Rodwell.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a regular run in the first team at Goodison Park this season, prompting his elevation to Fabio Capello's full squad, and his progress has attracted the interest of the Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas.

David Moyes, Everton's manager, will be reluctant to lose Rodwell mid-season but, if the sale is forced upon him, would expect to raise £20m as the midfielder is under contract until 2015.

Moyes has previously warned rival clubs that he will not sanction cut-price sales of any of his players despite the club's difficult financial position, following speculation about the teenager Ross Barkley, who has now signed a long-term deal.

"Every club will want Ross as he is going to be an outstanding player. [But] if someone comes for Ross, I've always said it, it's expensive to buy off Everton. If you're going to come and try to take our better players we don't sell cheap, that's for sure."