Chelsea tried to sign Niklas Sule in the summer and could return for the German centre-back in January, reports the Daily Star on Sunday.
Blues boss Antonio Conte is keen to refresh his backline, with Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry and Gary Cahill all the wrong side of 30.
Sule has re-emerged as a possible target for Chelsea in the New Year, though the Premier League leaders would face competition for his signature from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and rivals Liverpool.
The 21-year-old has experience of playing in a three-man defence for Hoffenheim this season, which is another selling point for Conte.
The Italian is looking to build his new-look backline around David Luiz and is hoping to increase competition for starting spots.
Kurt Zouma is still building his way back to fitness, while on-loan centre-back Andreas Christensen won’t return to Stamford Bridge until the end of the season.
Sule has been a capable performer in the Hoffenheim defence this term, with an average of 63.4 passes per game better than any other player for the unbeaten Bundesliga side, with his willingness to play the ball out from the back a boost.
For more stats on Niklas Sule, click here to view his WhoScored player page
