Borussia Monchengladbach hope to keep Chelsea's promising young defender Andreas Christensen beyond the end of the campaign.
Sporting director Max Eberl has watched Christensen develop into a key member of Gladbach's squad after arriving on loan in 2015 and the German's continue to benefit from his services after sealing a similar deal this past summer.
That was not before they had tried to sign the Dane on a permanent basis, however, bidding a club-record £14.25 million in July. In a move that suggests he is very highly rated at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea turned it down.
As his performances in the German league continue to draw plaudits, it is unlikely Gladbach will ever have the funds to sign him but Eberl is not giving up hope of at least agreeing another loan.