Argentina striker Hernan Crespo is wanted back at Chelsea next season, manager Jose Mourinho was quoted as saying on Thursday.
Mourinho, whose future at Chelsea is in doubt, has already begun thinking about his squad for next season and the striker on loan at Inter Milan is in his plans, The Sun newspaper reported.
Chelsea expect to be without Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou during the African Nations Cup early next year.
Crespo, a part of the Chelsea squad that won the Premier League last season, does not want to return to London where he was unsettled and his agent has been looking to secure a permanent transfer to Inter, Italian media have reported.
"I can understand the human side of Crespo's story, but business is business," Mourinho told The Sun.
"Crespo is ours and I need a striker. I'm sure I will lose Drogba and Kalou who will go to play in the African Cup of Nations and so I need a striker like Crespo to be at Chelsea."
Mourinho said it was up to club owner Roman Abramovich -- with whom there is a reported rift -- but he has told him and club chief executive Peter Kenyon of his plans.