Chelsea are prepared to postpone plans to sign Everton star Marouane Fellaini until the summer.
The London Evening Standard says Everton are determined to keep their best players as they fight to secure a top-four place and qualify for next season's Champions League.
Chelsea will now wait until the end of the campaign when they expect to succeed with a bid in excess of £20m.
Fellaini will help fill the void left by Frank Lampard, who will leave on a free transfer having been told he will not be offered a new contract.