Arsenal's board are determined not to sell Alexis Sanchez to a Premier League rival.
The Daily Mail says Chelsea are keen to test Arsenal's resolve with an offer for the striker.
But Chelsea are well aware that Arsenal will be extremely reluctant to sell Sanchez to another Premier League club, let alone a fierce London rival.
This seems to be the conclusion reached by Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emenalo, who have heard manager Antonio Conte's squad-strengthening intentions.
Sanchez's agent, Fernando Felicevich, is understood to be aware of Chelsea's interest but there hasn't yet been a bid from the league leaders.
The Chilean, whose contract at the Emirates Stadium has 15 months to run, is demanding an increase in salary from his current £130,000-a-week to something in the region £250,000-a-week.
That would place him within the wage structure of only Europe's elite clubs, with Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Inter Milan touted as potential destinations if Arsenal sell him.
Source: tribalfootball.com