Chelsea were linked with a host of centre-backs before bringing in David Luiz, but look to have been snubbed by Hoffenheim's Niklas Sule.
Niklas Sule's agent says the Hoffenheim defender turned down the opportunity to join Chelsea.
The Germany international, fresh from winning silver at the Rio Games, is under contract with the Bundesliga side until 2019.
His impressive performances have attracted interest, but a reported €30 million bid from Antonio Conte's Premier League outfit led nowhere.
"Yes, there was interest," Sule's agent Karlheinz Forster told Bild. "The English have made it clear they'll still be interested next year.