Chelsea are making an improved bid of around £30million for Lyon right-back Malo Gusto but the French side would like to keep the teenager on loan for the season.
Graham Potter's side remain interested in the 19-year-old - after Sportsmail reported interest in his services from the Blues earlier in January - but any move for the defender would require him to spend the rest of the season in France.
Chelsea's spending this month has already reached £238m, with the club also reigniting their interest in Anthony Gordon in addition to Enzo Fernandez.