Chelsea are making a shock move for released Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.
The Daily Mail says Reo-Coker has been recommended to Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas by senior members of the playing and coaching staff at Stamford Bridge.
Reo-Coker, 27, is available on a free transfer after leaving Aston Villa at the end of last season.
And Villas-Boas recognises Reo-Coker represents a minimal financial risk in his efforts to land a player who could step straight into injured Michael Essien's shoes.
Bolton Wanderers and QPR have also shown an interest in Reo-Coker - clubs that are likely to offer him guaranteed first-team football.
But the chance of establishing himself at a top-four club would be hard to resist for Reo-Coker - who was once on the brink of an England call-up under Sven-Goran Eriksson.
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