Chelsea to prioritise new midfielder in January

Chelsea will look to bolster their squad with another midfielder when the transfer window reopens in January.

The Blues primarily focused on strengthening their defence this summer with the purchases of Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella.

The attack was also bolstered with Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but they probably missed out on a marquee midfielder.

Denis Zakaria was signed in a deadline day loan move from Juventus, but the Blues are still expected to spend big on a midfielder in the New Year.

Ajax star Edson Alvarez was their main midfield target heading into deadline day, but the Dutch champions made it clear that he was not for sale.

Ajax did not have any time to land a replacement, but Alvarez has been reassured that he can move to Chelsea when the transfer window reopens.

Chelsea were prepared to pay €50m for him this summer, and Ajax could hold out for a similar sum to part ways with Mexico international.