Chelsea Transfer News: Modric, Isco, Taison And Lampard Involved In Latest Speculation

Chelsea are poised to complete their second signing of the transfer window having agreed a deal for Metalist Kharkiv forward Taison, according to Sky Sports.

The Brazilian, who has featured predominantly out wide but can also operate through the middle, has previously admitted to meeting with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and visiting Stamford Bridge. Sky Sports now claim that a fee has been agreed with his Ukrainian club with personal terms also finalized.

However, there could yet be a late hitch with the report stating that an unnamed Premier League club has made an approach for Taison.

Having done so much of the groundwork, it would still be a surprise were the 24-year-old not to join Chelsea. Taison arrived in Kharkiv in the summer of 2010 from Brazilian side Internacional, where he teamed up with current Chelsea midfielder Oscar.

Bringing in attacking reinforcements was always likely to be a priority for the Blues in the January transfer window having already been light before the departure of Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool last week.

If he does arrive, Taison could be thrust into action immediately with Victor Moses heading off to the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

Also in the Nigeria squad for the tournament that begins later this month is Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi, which may give the Blues further reason to strengthen their central midfield options. Chelsea are already missing Oriol Romeu through injury for the rest of the season.

And Chelsea have been linked to a midfielder over the weekend in the form of Real Madrid’s Luka Modric. The Daily Mirror suggests that Modric is struggling to adapt to life in Spain following his £33 million move from Tottenham last summer. Certainly he has struggled to make an impact on the pitch, with the 27-year-old used only sparingly by Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea could well be interested if Modric does become available, having previously bid unsuccessfully for the Croatian in the summer of 2011. The Manchester duo, United and City, are also believed to be monitoring the situation, although Modric is likely to stick it out in the Spanish capital until at least the summer.

Modric’s creative skills may not be exactly what Chelsea need in the midfield currently, however, and it may be that he is seen as a replacement for Frank Lampard.

After months of speculation, the 34-year-ood midfielder’s agent has confirmed that Lampard is set to leave the club when his contract expires in the summer.

“Chelsea executives told Frank in Japan during the Club World Cup, then again reconfirmed with me after the Everton victory [both in December], that in no circumstances will he be offered a new contract to stay at the club after the end of this season," said Steve Kutner, according to the Guardian.

"Nothing since has changed in any respect. Frank has had to accept that and just wants to carry on playing football for Chelsea so as to finish the season as successfully as possible for the club that he loves."

The Daily Mirror reports that Malaga attacking midfielder Isco will be joining Chelsea either in January or, after a loan back deal, in the summer. Chelsea are one of a number of clubs to be linked with the 20-year-old, who could be available as Malaga look to further ease their financial problems, according to the Mirror.

However, with Isco reportedly having a release clause of £17.5 million, it is likely that any club would have to meet that fee in order to secure the Spain Under-21 star’s services.