Chelsea have not yet applied to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to try to freeze the two-window transfer ban that they are still appealing as the club consider their options.

The Blues failed with an appeal to Fifa and confirmed they have taken their case to CAS in a bid to get their punishment for the signing of young, foreign players overturned.

But, as yet, Chelsea have not applied to CAS to suspend the ban while their appeal is considered with the club and lawyers deliberating over the best course of action.

It has emerged that even if they have to start serving the ban during the summer, Chelsea would be able to sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic and striker Gonzalo Higuain who have both been on loan at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are likely to step up their bid to turn midfielder Kovacic’s loan into a permanent deal following the news that Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be ruled out for up to a year after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon during this week’s post-season friendly in the United States.