Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta remains a January target for Chelsea.

The Mirror says Andre Villas-Boas believes the Marseille man can give his side the defensive certainty they have lacked as Jose Bosingwa's limitations have been exposed repeatedly throughout the season.

Formal talks have now opened, with the Blues hopeful of agreeing a deal before the window shuts at the end of the month.

Azpilicueta, 22, hinted at his interest in coming to the Premier League as he said: "Chelsea need to talk about this with Marseille. At the moment I have a contract until 2014 and I am 100 per cent focused on my club."