Chelsea is reported to be in pole position to sign Portuguese Joao Moutinho as cover for Michael Essien, while their pursuit of Luka Modric may not be over.
The London-based club are in the market for at least a midfielder following the unfortunate injury to the Ghana international which is feared to keep him out of action for the whole season.
Essien, 28, has a history of setbacks in that department having sustained the dreaded cruciate ligament damage in 2008, leading to a six-month layoff, and missed last year�s World Cup because of another problem, fuelling the early assumption he will be out for a while.
Moutinho however has been most prominently linked with a move to Stamford Bridge to ensure that Essien�s anticipated absence doesn�t halt the Blues� bid to win both the Premiership and the Champions League.
Porto is demanding a reported �35m for the services of the 24-year-old, an amount Chelsea would do well to pay considering the desperate state of their midfield.
However, the Blues also have another option to intensify their efforts to sign Tottenham�s Croatian sensation Lika Modric who would cost less.