Chelsea are closing in on the signings of midfield duo Nicolo Barella from Cagliari and Zenit St Petersburg’s Leandro Paredes, according to Sky Sports News.
The Blues are hoping to agree a deal for at least one of the two as early as this week, which could see Cesc Fabregas leave for Monaco before the end of the month.
The Spaniard has agreed a deal to sign with Ligue 1 side Monaco when his contract expires at the end of the season, but Maurizio Sarri revealed on Monday that it would be best for the midfielder to leave during the January window.
Fabregas is said to be eager on a move as soon as possible, which would see him play under his former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry.
However, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia has blocked the move until the Blues have agreed a deal for his replacement.
Paredes has been linked with a move to Chelsea for some time and reportedly came close to moving to Stamford Bridge following his departure from Roma, before deciding to join Zenit in Russia.
Barella is another who Chelsea have been monitoring for a while, and the 21-year-old could cost the Blues as much as £45 million.
