Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Eye Southampton's Victor Wanyama, Latest Rumours

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly preparing to hijack Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit of Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama.

That's according to an exclusive by Steve Morgan of the Daily Star, who reports that a £20 million bid is set to be made for the 24-year-old.

Chelsea's central-midfield pairing of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas served them well as they romped home to the Premier League title last season, but with both struggling this season—along with the majority of Blues players—Chelsea's lack of strength in depth has been exposed.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

John Obi Mikel and Ramires are Mourinho's only other senior, natural options in the centre and neither has ever been particularly inspiring, the former in particular.

As Morgan's report notes, Chelsea's primary target is Juventus star Paul Pogba, but with Barcelona also sniffing around the Frenchman it seems unlikely they'll be able to land his signature, ergo their interest in Wanyama.

The midfield enforcer anchors Southampton's midfield, and last year the Saints boasted the league's second-meanest defence thanks in part to the protection he gives the back four.

According to Squawka, the Kenyan won 78 tackles and 66 aerial duels last season. Wanyama also showed his supreme comfort on the ball as he successfully completed a phenomenal 37 take-ons from 40 attempts, and also contributed going forward with three goals and an assist.

As WhoScored.com demonstrate, the midfielder also has significant bite in his game:

Mourinho is unlikely to mind that given his appreciation of the aggressive, rampaging style of Diego Costa.

B/R's own Jack Lusby urged Liverpool to sign Wanyama in the summer:

Lusby expanded on Wanyama's qualities, stating: "He exhibits his defensive merit with energy and dynamism and is called upon to tighten the side when tactics require."

Jon Super/Associated Press

He would likely be willing to move, as Saints boss Ronald Koeman confirmed he made a transfer request in the summer in the face of interest from Spurs. Per the Guardian's David Hytner, he said:

"Yes. We had a meeting, and that’s true. But it’s the same as with Sadio [Mane] or anyone—nobody is for sale. It’s an easy answer and the players have to accept that."

According to Morgan's report, Chelsea have also scouted Porto's Ruben Neves and Red Star Belgrade's Marko Grujic.

The youngsters are promising prospects, but still have some way to go before being ready for first-team Premier League football at a title-challenging team.

Wanyama, however, has the experience and quality to make a useful addition to the Blues immediately.

A January move seems unlikely given Koeman's firm stance on keeping hold of his players during the season. However, come next summer Wanyama will have just one year left on his current contract, so a cut-price deal could be struck then.