Transfer journalist Nicolo Schira has confirmed his name features on the club's shortlist.
Fabrizio Romano added further weight to the story on Sunday, naming Luís as "another name to watch" in the Chelsea manager market. The 40-year-old Brazilian is currently without a club having been dismissed by Flamengo in March — a decision connected, according to Brazilian reports, to his unauthorised preliminary discussions with Chelsea's BlueCo ownership during January when the club were seeking a replacement for Enzo Maresca.
Luís spent the 2014/15 season at Stamford Bridge during his playing career, making 26 competitive appearances and winning both the Premier League and the League Cup. He has since established a strong managerial reputation in Brazil, recording a win rate of close to 70 per cent across 101 matches at Flamengo and winning seven trophies including the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA Club World Cup, where his side beat Chelsea in the final last summer.
The primary obstacle to a Chelsea appointment is regulatory. Luís does not yet hold a UEFA Pro Licence, which is required to manage permanently in England. Brazilian reports indicate he is working urgently to obtain the qualification, though the timeline for securing it remains unclear.
Chelsea's primary target remains Andoni Iraola, who is leaving Bournemouth this summer. Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso also feature highly in the club's thinking. The list of candidates under consideration is understood to be between seven and eight names.
Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup final next Saturday — a trophy that would represent the only positive achievement of a disjointed season in which they have used two permanent head coaches and an interim. Whoever takes charge permanently will inherit a squad of considerable talent, a fragmented culture and a fanbase that has long since run out of patience.