With Marko Marin desperate to play regular football, and Bayer Leverkusen showing their interest in the German international, Chelsea hope offering their playmaker to the German club will open the door to a smooth summer move for Andre Schurrle.
Marin, since making his move to Chelsea in the summer, has hardly featured, with injuries and competition coming in the way of making his mark at Stamford Bridge.
The former Werder Bremen star is keen to make a return to Germany, with a loan move being mooted. Leverkusen are among the interested candidates, and Chelsea are ready to let go of their player on loan for the rest of the season, with an option to buy in the summer.
The Blues hope that the goodwill from the Marin deal will permeate through to when they bid for Schurrle in the summer, according to the Daily Mirror.
There is little doubt about the fact that Chelsea are interested in Schurrle, seen as one of the brightest young attackers in Germany. A couple of bids have already been rejected by Leverkusen last summer, but Chelsea have not given up hope of landing the versatile 22-year-old.
Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp has said Chelsea would be crazy to let go of Frank Lampard.
The Blues veteran is reportedly free to find a new club in January, with Chelsea refusing to offer a new contract to the 34-year-old, whose current deal expires at the end of the season.
Queens Park Rangers manager Redknap, however, believes it would be a folly to release Lampard.
"I personally think they would be making a big mistake in letting Frank go," Redknapp said. "We saw the other day, he's still a top top player. He scored two terrific goals at Everton.
"I don't think you'll find anywhere a better attacking midfield player who will score more goals in the Premier League.
"I don't think they can upgrade from Frank. Where are you going to find someone as good as him? I can't see him leaving. I would be surprised if he left Chelsea. I think his heart is at
"Chelsea -- the fans absolutely idolise him. He is an amazing goal-scoring midfielder, so I still think there is every chance that he will still be at Chelsea next year."
Redknapp, who is Lampard's uncle, believes the midfielder's professionalism is unparalleled and does not think his age should be a factor in the decision.
"I think the importance of age can be overstated," he said. "I've said many times he is the best trainer I have ever seen in football, without a doubt.
"I saw him as a 16, 17 year-old -- when all the other kids had gone home, he would be practising every day. I've never seen anyone even come close to him.
"He's still in great shape and has still got that desire. Frank just gets on with it. Every club needs players like that, but you can't put it into people, they have to want to do it."
