Chelsea refuse to shelve their interest for Everton teenager Jack Rodwell.

The Independent says Chelsea have made their first significant move since their transfer embargo was suspended by making a preliminary £14m offer for the Everton teenager Jack Rodwell, which has been rejected by the Merseyside club.

In the past Chelsea football chief Frank Arnesen has signed much younger, less well-known players from the academies of clubs such as Leeds United, Sheffield United, Feyenoord and, infamously, Lens from whom they signed Gaël Kakuta, but this is the first time they have made a move for a more established young player. Daniel Sturridge, 20, had played only five times for City before he joined Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer.

Rodwell is regarded as a much safer bet than Sturridge, who has failed to make any impression so far at Chelsea. Rodwell is advised by his father Malcolm, and the licensed agent Mick McGuire, formerly the deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association.