Fresh off the news that Fernando Torres has joined AC Milan on a two-year loan deal, Chelsea have reportedly triggered QPR striker Loic Remy’s £8.5million buy-out clause and the France international looks set to have a medical with the Blues as early as Saturday.

Speculation is Chelsea began talks with Remy’s representatives following an injury scare involving Didier Drogba earlier this month. Later, when negotiations began to heat up between the club and AC Milan regarding Torres, Jose Mourinho gave the green light for Chelsea officials to once again contact the Frenchman’s agent.

Mourinho had also reportedly been interested in AS Roma striker Mattio Destro, but negotiations between the two clubs have proven difficult and the Portuguese boss has now turned his attention towards Remy.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp has been hoping to fight off outside interest in his French striker, with Arsenal also rumored to have interest in the 27-year-old. But Redknapp looks set to lose that battle to retain the player to QPR’s other London rival.

Remy had been in line for a switch to Liverpool earlier this summer, but that transfer collapsed when the player failed to pass a medical with the Anfield club.

Going into Saturday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park, Chelsea should have the luxury of striker Diego Costa in their lineup following a positive training session late this afternoon. Though Mourinho may choose to start the Brazilian-born striker on the bench and allow Didier Drogba his first start of the season.

But moving forward, the Chelsea boss has stated that he ideally wants three strikers in his squad.

Should these latest reports be correct, it appears Loic Remy will replace Fernando Torres as Chelsea’s third strike option in the next 48 hours.