Chelsea have emerged as contenders to sign Emmanuel Petit if the Frenchman leaves Barcelona this summer.
Speculation is rife in Spain that the midfielder is keen to return to London after just one season in La Liga, with Barcelona apparently being prepared to consider selling him.
However, no official decision has yet been made and Petit may wait to learn the identity of the next long-term Barcelona coach after the dismissal of Lorrenc Serra Ferrer.
If he is given the go-ahead to leave Barcelona and decides in favour of a move to England, then a host of London clubs would be interested.
Chelsea, who have two of Petit's international team-mates, Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf, would be among these, with reports in Spain that they have already made a firm bid.
Managing director Colin Hutchinson was only able to confirm: "Obviously he is a quality player. If he becomes available, then we would be interested."
Their main rivals could be Fulham, who are managed by Jean Tigana, the former coach of Petit's old club Monaco, and Tottenham, who are looking for midfielders of the calibre of Petit or Josep Guardiola.
They may also include Petit's former club, Arsenal, but while manager Arsene Wenger has always spoken highly of the midfielder's abilities, it is not known whether he would submit a formal bid.
Petit has not recently been drawn on the situation, beyond commenting that "the atmosphere of the team has changed" since the departure of Serra Ferrer.
PA