Chelsea Transfer Rumours: 3 Players They'll Aim to Sign in January

Chelsea’s failure to land a number of top targets this summer means they may be very active come the January transfer window. Chelsea boss, Andre Villas-Boas, will look to bolster an aging squad which will be depleted by the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, as well as strengthen for the knockout phase of the Champions League.

With the two Giants from Manchester already hitting the ground running, it may be imperative that Chelsea get their targets in early to keep pace with the current joint league leaders.

Luka Modric

The Luka Modric transfer saga of this past summer is one whereby Tottenham Hotspur Chairman, Daniel Levy, should be applauded. This was a fine example of the smaller club not giving in to the persistent overtures from one of the league’s big guns, as well as the behaviour from the player himself.

Chelsea, however, may look to Modric again this January in an attempt to replace the numbers put up so consistently by Frank Lampard. A move for the Croat may also signal a move toward a more fluid, expansive brand of football that is so common on the continent, and one which is deployed in fantastic fashion by Andre Villas-Boas’ former club, Porto.

With Tottenham making it quite plain that the player is going nowhere, Chelsea may want to look to alternative targets or continue their pursuit of the playmaker in the summer.

Joao Moutinho

The signing of Joao Moutinho would go a long way to signal the creative style of play that Andre Villas-Boas intends to implement at Chelsea. The capture of Juan Mata, and the continuous pursuit of a central midfielder able to break down stubborn defences, shows that this Chelsea side may be one to watch for those looking for attractive football.

Moutinho arrived at Porto last summer, and was instrumental in the club’s Europa League success, catching the eye of many clubs looking for a player in the mould of those at Barcelona.

Despite Moutinho’s surprisingly small transfer fee which took him from Sporting Lisbon to the Estadio do Dragao, Chelsea will expect to pay big to land the Portuguese midfielder, and will face an even greater test convincing Porto to part with him midway through the season.

Gary Cahill

The Bolton man is still at the Reebok Stadium despite a number of bids coming in for the England international from a host of Premier League clubs. Cahill enjoyed a solid and productive outing for England this past Friday alongside John Terry, and Andre Villas-Boas may look to Cahill as first choice partner for Terry at Chelsea.

It remains to be seen quite what Bolton’s plans are for Cahill. The player is in the final year of his contract and the club seem shockingly undeterred that they are likely to lose their star centre back for nothing come the summer of 2012.

Cashing in for Cahill this January may be a move that would benefit all parties, and one that would allow one of England’s best defenders to perform in Europe’s elite competition - the Champions League.