Chelsea could turn their search for a new striker towards Ajax's David Neres with Luka Jovic poised to sign for Real Madrid.

The Blues had been closely tailing Eintracht Frankfurt hitman Jovic, but the 21-year-old Serbia striker should shortly finalise his Madrid move.

Chelsea remain hopeful of having their two-window FIFA transfer ban frozen while appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), so are pushing ahead with tentative recruitment plans.

And Stamford Bridge bosses are understood to favour a move for Brazil star Neres now that Jovic appears out of reach.

Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Arsenal are all also eyeing a move for £40million-rated Neres, who has impressed amid Ajax's run to the Champions League semi-finals and the Eredivisie title.

Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Show all 30 1 /30 Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Juan Mata – Manchester United The former Chelsea player will be a good addition to most teams REUTERS Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Gianluigi Buffon – PSG At 40, the veteran goalkeeper can still do a job at a top club Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Filipe Luis – Atletico Madrid The 32-year-old would make a good addition to most side Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Diego Godin – Atletico Madrid The experienced defender would be a great quick-fix Getty Images Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Dani Alves – PSG Is there one final move for one of the most successful players of a generation? AFP/Getty Images Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Antonio Valencia – Manchester United The experienced defender is unlikely to remain first choice at United Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Franck Ribery – Bayern Munich The experienced winger could be set to leave Bayern in the summer Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Nacho Monreal – Arsenal The versatile defender has been getting better each season at Arsenal Getty Images Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Daniel Strurridge – Liverpool The injury-prone forward might be worth a gamble from a Premier League side Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Gary Cahill – Chelsea The English defender is seeking more matches as he reaches the latter part of his career AP Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Juanfran – Atletico Madrid The seasoned defender still competes against the best in the game Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Pablo Zabaleta – West Ham When he’s not in Sky studios he can be found occasionally holding his own in the Premier League REUTERS Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich Does the Dutch winger have one final move in him? Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Santi Cazorla – Villarreal The popular midfielder is making his return following a horrific injury Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Andrea Barzagli – Juventus There are few trophies the experienced defender has not won Getty Images Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Adrien Rabiot – PSG The young midfielder has caught the attention of many clubs in Europe Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Fernando Torres – Sagan Tosu The Spaniard’s time in Japan comes to an end in December 2019 Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Ander Herrera – Manchester United Is there room in the United midfield to keep Herrera? PA Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Andreas Pereira – Manchester United Jose Mourinho was very complimentary towards him in pre-season Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Leighton Baines – Everton Baines is beginning to be replaced in the Everton side Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Michel Vorm – Tottenham The Spurs reserve goalkeeper will bring experience to any side Getty Images Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Danny Welbeck – Arsenal The England forward suffered a nasty injury that could keep him out for a while Arsenal FC via Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Mohamed Diame – Newcastle Consistent form has been hard to come by for the powerful midfielder Getty Images Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Wes Morgan – Leicester He captained his side to Premier League glory, which has to be worth something Getty Images Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Jakub Blaszczykowski – Wolfsburg Once a star at Borussia Dortmund, the Polish winger’s career has slightly declined Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Fernando Llorente – Tottenham Athletic Club could offer him an early exit from Tottenham Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Stephan Lichtsteiner – Arsenal The Gunners will have to decide whether they have seen enough to keep him PA Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Yacine Brahimi – Porto Newcastle, West Ham and Everton are said to be interested in the tricky winger Getty Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 James Milner – Liverpool The fine-wine of a midfielder will be a popular player for plenty of top-flight sides Action Images via Reuters Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 David Ospina – Napoli The Colombia and former Arsenal goalkeeper could be a good option REUTERS

The 22-year-old hit 10 goals in 42 matches in Ajax's fine campaign, catching the attention of a clutch of top clubs when scoring in the 4-1 Champions League win at Real Madrid in March.

Chelsea enjoy a positive relationship with Neres' agents Giuliano Bertolucci and Kia Joorabchian, with the pair representing Blues defender David Luiz.

Gonzalo Higuain would likely return to parent club Juventus should Chelsea recruit a new forward, with the Blues then not extending the ex-Argentina striker's time at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are still expected to trigger the one-year extension in Olivier Giroud's contract to keep him in west London next season.

Winger Christian Pulisic will join the Blues this summer, with the USA star's arrival to some extent offsetting Eden Hazard's expected departure to Real Madrid.

Striker Tammy Abraham, midfielder Mason Mount and right-back Reece James head the queue of Chelsea stars returning from loans pushing for first-team chances next term.

One Blues forward not keen to return is Atletico Madrid loan man Alvaro Morata.

"What is clear is what I want, I want to be here," Morata told Marca.

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"I'm going to do all I can to keep playing here, I did all I could to come and I will do all I can to stay.

"I'm not thinking about going back anywhere, only being here.

"I'm happy here and I want to be here for the years I have left at the top level."

Morata also backed Hazard to shine anywhere in the world, as the Belgium talisman closes in on a move to Real.

"He's one of the best players in the world and could fit in well in any team," said Morata.