Borussia Monchengladbach have revealed they are in regular talks with Chelsea as they seek to make Thorgan Hazard's loan deal permanent.
Hazard, the younger brother of Blues star Eden, is currently on a season-long loan at Borussia Park and the Bundesliga club recently expressed hope that his loan deal might be extended beyond the summer.
The 21-year-old midfielder had said that it was "just too early to talk" about his future and that a "decision will be made towards the end of the season," but Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl said negotiations are already underway with Chelsea.
"Thorgan's development has been exemplary," Eberl told Sport Bild. "He needed some time at first, and we allowed him that. Now he is getting better all the time.
"I hope that we sign the player on a permanent deal. We are constantly talking to Chelsea."
Gladbach, named "best shoppers in Germany" by football magazine kicker for two consecutive years, are also open to the possibility of extending the loan for a further one or two years.
"There are several options, and we will discuss all that soon," Eberl said.
Hazard, who joined Chelsea from Lens in 2012 and then spent two years on loan in his native Belgium with Zulte-Waregem, has played in 22 of Gladbach's 25 competitive games this season, contributing four goals and six assists.
The player indicated a willingness to continue at the club after enjoying his time under coach Lucien Favre, having helped the side into fourth place in the Bundesliga as well as the knockout round of the Europa League.
"I am at a top club, and feel great here," he said in Sport Bild. "I can learn a lot under Lucien Favre. It's certainly an option to stay at Gladbach for a longer time."
Chelsea bolstered their bank balance in the summer after selling fellow Belgian players Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne to Everton and Wolfsburg respectively after the pair impressed when sent out on loan.