Chelsea are ready to meet the buyout clause in Antoine Giezmann's Atletico Madrid contract.

The Telegraph says they would be prepared to meet Griezmann's £88m (€100m) release clause next summer.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is aware that he will be required to spend big to strengthen Chelsea's midfield and attack in the next 12 months.

But signing a new forward is likely to be delayed until next summer with Griezmann being one of three names on the shortlist.

Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has emerged as a target while a move for Alvaro Morata failed in the summer.