Chelsea Transfer Rumours - Modric, Benayoun, Torres and Gaurin

Such is Chelsea's desire to sign Luka Modric that they're prepared to offer Yossi Benayoun to Tottenham - the only Chelsea player who has shown chemistry with the yet-to-impress striker Fernando Torres.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, Andre Villas-Boas is prepared to exchange the Israel captain, who plays in much the same manner as Modric, in a bid to bring some fluidity and invention to a rigid midfield.

Benayoun moved to Chelsea for a fee of £5.5million last summer, but he was out for seven months with an Achilles tendon injury, limiting him to only one start in the Premier League last season. Despite an impressive show in Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia, he is now being prepared as bait for Luka Modric's move.

It is ironical in that Benayoun has a natural chemistry with Torres, which was all too evident during their time together at Liverpool, while the chief reason Chelsea are pursuing Modric is to draw the best out of the Spaniard.

Chelsea have already had bids of £22 million and £27 million rejected for the Croat, even though the player himself has asked for the move. It remains to be seen whether Benayoun inclusion in the deal would make it work, although Harry Redknapp was interested in signing the Israeli last summer, before Chelsea grasped him.

Elsewhere, Villas-Boas is set to go head-to-head with former-mentor Jose Mourinho for the signing of Fredy Gaurin.

Gaurin scored five goals last season in Porto's successful Europa League campaign, led by Villas-Boas, but managed only 10 starts in 22 appearances for the 33-year-old manager. The 25-year-old had made his feelings felt via Twitter. Real Madrid are also believed to be alongside Chelsea in the race to sign the Colombian, who can play on the right of centre of midfield.

However, the former Saint Etienne player only played 34 minutes in the Portuguese Super Cup game against Vitoria Guimaraes, and pointing to the possibility that he may not fit into the style of play that new Porto boss, Victor Pereira, is setting out his side in.