Chelsea are thought to be close to signing a new midfielder, with talks at an advanced stage, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: January additions

The Blues have already brought in five players this month in Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos.

A sixth signing appears to be on the cards in PSV Eindhoven forward Noni Madueke after a £29m fee was agreed between the two clubs, but it looks as if Chelsea chiefs aren’t stopping there.

The Latest: Midfield signing?

O’Rourke took to Twitter on Thursday afternoon, sharing a story for Football Insider regarding Chelsea and a new midfielder.

He stated that talks are at an advanced stage for a mystery central midfielder, with the Blues close to yet another transfer.

“Understand Chelsea are close to signing a new midfielder. Talks are at an advanced stage with the mystery target with Graham Potter looking to bring in a new central midfielder to add to his squad.”

The Verdict: Who could it be?

It looks as if a new central midfielder has been on the agenda for some time at Stamford Bridge, with a number of players linked with a move to London. Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, West Ham’s Declan Rice and Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez are just three midfielders there has been speculation around.

The club will take their spending in January to £190m by signing Madueke, with the majority of arrivals at the back and in attack, so you can see why a new midfielder could now be on the cards.

It should help Graham Potter with N’Golo Kante and Denis Zakaria both injured, leaving Jorginho as the only holding midfielder available at this moment in time, so it could be handy if this mystery target can turn out in a variety of midfield roles.