Chelsea ready to beat Arsenal to signing Barcelona star

Chelsea are determined to beat Arsenal in the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado during the January transfer window.

The Blues were hot on the trail of Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez last summer, but they could not negotiate a deal with the Spanish champions.

The west London giants offered €45 million for Lopez's services, but the Catalan oufit wanted at least €70m to sanction his departure.

Lopez ended up staying with the Blaugrana, but the Blues are now preparing a €35m move to purchase Casado this winter, as per Mundo Deportivo.

Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the Spain international, but the Blues have an upper hand in the race and are prepared to lodge a formal bid ahead of the New Year.

Chelsea presently have Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez as their first-choice defensive midfielders, but there is a lack of quality back-up behind them.

Romeo Lavia was signed to compete for places with the duo, but the Belgian has spent most of his Chelsea career on the injury table.