Chelsea will make a last-ditch bid to try to sign forward Dries Mertens after their first approach was rejected by Napoli.

Napoli told Chelsea they do not want to sell Mertens before Friday night’s deadline, despite the fact his contract expires at the end of the season.

But that will not stop Chelsea making one last offer for Mertens, as they desperately try to boost Frank Lampard’s attacking options before the window closes at 11pm on Friday.

Napoli’s stance means Chelsea know they face an uphill battle to land Mertens and if they fail it could impact Olivier Giroud’s future.

Giroud had been in talks with Inter Milan and has also attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio over recent days.

Chelsea had been willing to allow Giroud to leave this month, but may have to re-think that stance if they cannot sign a forward as Tammy Abraham is currently nursing an ankle injury.

Abraham could be patched up to play against Leicester City at the weekend ahead of Chelsea’s two-week break, during which he should reach full fitness again.