Chelsea Transfer Rumors: Blues Looking to Add Midfielder

Chelsea has not stayed out of the rumor mill after finally coming to an agreement for the fee to sign Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku away from Anderlecht.

With the Blues playing to a 0-0 draw at Stoke on Sunday, it has become increasingly clear to new skipper Andre Villas-Boas that the team lacks creativity at midfield and depth should injury befall star player Frank Lampard the same way it did last season.

Luka Modric

Chelsea has set their sights on Luka Modric to help appease Villas-Boas' desires, but have found it difficult to complete a transfer. 

The Blues have made multiple attempts to transfer the Tottenham midfielder, including an offer of £27 million which was turned down by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

The Blues aren't ready to give up yet. According to The Sun, Chelsea is readying an offer of £30 million. The article also cites rumors of the same £27 million being offered along with a player (Yosi Benayoun).

Raul Meireles

If things still don't work out on the transfer market for Modric, there are rumors of Chelsea making a push to sign Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles. Chelsea's new manager, Andre Villas-Boas, has experience with Meireles, with both having spent time together for Porto. 

Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri is being heavily wooed by Manchester City and Arsenal has set the asking price at £22 million, but Manchester City are focusing their efforts on Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan.

Nasri is someone who fits all the characteristics of being a creative midfielder and Chelsea has the funds to bring the unhappy Frenchman to Stamford.

Kevin De Bruyne

Genk midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has been linked to Chelsea as well, with news coming out that the two sides are already in talks for the move to take place.

"My manager went to Chelsea on Wednesday and discussions have been good," said De Bruyne on Belgian TV show Extra Time. "The opportunity is there. I have a feeling I should do this and I always choose what I feel."

Eljero Elia

Villas-Boas would like to add a winger that better fits his system and may be able to do so by signing Hamburg's Eljero Elia.

Elia has rejected an opportunity to transfer to Juventus with the Hamburger Morgenpost, citing Elia's desire for higher competition (he favors Chelsea and Arsenal).

"Hamburg told me they had rejected an offer from Juventus, but I did not care," Elia said. "I'm not interested in moving to a team on the same level, as (Juventus) are not a better team than Hamburg. If we talk about Arsenal or Chelsea then my reaction would be different."

Alex

As for news about players possibly headed out of Stamford Bridge, Juventus has upped an earlier offer of  £6 million for Chelsea's defender Alex, according to the Mirror. Juventus Sporting Director Beppe Morotta would like to take the player on loan for one year, with an option to buy for £8 million at the end of the season.

Nicolas Anelka

The Mirror has also reported that striker Nicolas Anelka is upset that he was benched in favor of Fernando Torres for Sunday's game at Stoke and would like to make his way out of the Stamford Bridge as soon as possible.

The team, however, has stated that they have not received any transfer papers from Anelka.