Bayern Munich are refusing to give up prising Callum Hudson-Odoi away from Chelsea.
There was hope the winger would sign a new deal thanks to Frank Lampard's appointment, but the Daily Star says Bayern retains belief that the youngster wants to leave.
One problem for all parties is that Hudson-Odoi, 18, is still recovering from the ruptured Achilles injury he suffered In April.
But with new boss Lampard insisting he wants the youngster to stay - and sign a £100,000-a-week deal already on the table - news that Bayern have yet pull out of the race is not what the Premier League outfit need to hear.
Hudson-Odoi, capped twice by England, could well decide to run down his current deal - which has only a year left to run - and exit for nothing in 12 months from now.
That, of course, would make him even more attractive to Europe's elite - and leave Chelsea counting the cost of not giving him more first-team action sooner.