Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson today said that the Londoners were following closely the situation at Liverpool concerning Robbie Fowler.
The Blues struck a deal with Liverpool at the end of last year when it looked like striker Fowler would turn his back on his hometown club.
His future at the Merseyside club is now under serious doubt following a training ground bust-up with Liverpool number two Phil Thompson and his subsequent refusal to apologise for the incident.
"We had a deal with Robbie Fowler way back in December," Hutchinson told Radio Five Live. "But that deal with Rick Parry at Liverpool never got any further.
"At the moment he is a Liverpool player and Gerard (Houllier) is saying he wants to keep him there and that he's not for sale.
"It's a difficult situation. Liverpool did not want to be seen to be letting one of their Scouser sons go last year and I don't believe Fowler was prepared to ask for a transfer.
"We did not speak with Robbie. We were waiting for Liverpool to give us the green light."
Asked if Chelsea were ready to resurrect the "deal" Hutchinson replied: "We are always interested in quality players."
PA