Reece James is currently on loan at Wigan in the Championship.
And Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Brighton like what they’ve seen of the player and are ready to launch a January swoop.
James is an England youth international but is yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues.
The 18-year-old is getting his first taste of first-team action in the second tier with Wigan, where he’s made 12 starts.
The Sun report Brighton scouts have been so impressed with his displays for Paul Cook’s side that they are prepared to pay £10m for him in January.
James, who plays at right-back, is said to be seen as a long-term replacement for 38-year-old captain Bruno.
Albion also have ex-Barcelona man Martin Montoya and former Sporting Lisbon ace Ezequiel Schelotto on the books - although the latter appears to have been fazed out of contention for a game by manager Chris Hughton.
Brighton moved up to 12th in the table with victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
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Former Toon boss Chris Hughton was thrilled at a first top-flight away win in almost 12 months despite the loss of striker Glenn Murray to a head injury after he was knocked unconscious just nine minutes into the game.
When asked if victory was all the sweeter for coming against the club which dispensed with his services in December 2010, Hughton - who revealed Murray had been discharged from hospital in his post-match press conference - said: "I can honestly tell you it's no different to anywhere else.
"This is a club that I have got very, very fond memories of, and I always want to do well, so no, it's no different to anywhere else.
"For us, it's a big away three points, and we are not used to get so many of them. That's more than the fact that it's here."
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has done a "wonderful job" with the resources at his disposal, according to Hughton.
Benitez's struggling Magpies are helping to prop up the Premier League table after taking just two points from their opening eight fixtures.
The Spaniard guided the club to a 10th-place finish last season following promotion but received limited financial backing in the summer.
"With regards to what they've spent in the summer, the reason why they haven't spent perhaps what the other clubs have done, the only ones who are privy to that are the CEO, the chairman and of course Rafa," he said.