Chelsea are ready to bid for Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho.
The Sun says fears over the future of Michael Essien could prompt new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas to return to Porto for £35million-rated midfielder Moutinho.
Much depends on the outcome of Chelsea's pursuit of wantaway Spurs star Luka Modric. But Moutinho was on Villas-Boas's original wish list and talks could open this week.
Porto president Pinto Da Silva will not budge on the price, especially as 25 per cent of the fee must go to Moutinho's former club Sporting Lisbon.
Da Silva insisted: "We do not reduce by one euro the price of our stars for the big foreign clubs."
Essien, who has a history of knee problems, was hurt again in training last week and is expected to be out for several months.
It's kicking off again! Click here for your No1 source for Chelsea transfer market news and gossip.