Chelsea have agreed a deal for Portugual international Nuno Maniche, according to Portuguese sources.
La Liga giants Atletico Madrid looked to have won the race for Maniche - who is unsettled at Dinamo Moscow and looks almost certain to quit the club in January just six months after joining them.
However, Chelsea now look to have stepped in a struck a quick deal with both Maniche and Dinamo.
Manchester United were also thought to be in the running, but they have other priorities in Russia -with Nemanja Vidic of Spartak Moscow looking likely to move to Old Trafford in the next week.
Maniche is an especially attractive option for Jose Mourinho as he is available for Europe, but the Chelsea boss also knows him well from their time together at Porto and will have no qualms about adding him to his Stamford Bridge squad.
Portuguese reports claim that Maniche will complete his move in mid-January, giving him time to overcome an injury he is currently struggling with.
Porto's Lucho Gonzalez is emerging as an alternative target for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in the January transfer market.
The Blues boss is losing Michael Essien and Geremi to African Cup of Nations duty and, although John Obi-Mikel is expected to finally wrap up a move from Lyn Oslo in the New Year, Mourinho is believed to be prepared to bolster his midfield.
Mikel, who is also wanted by Manchester United, could also be absent with Nigeria if required, even if he does seal a switch to England.
Despite consistently denying he will be dipping into owner Roman Abramovich's substantial transfer kitty next month, Maniche is known to be a top target for the Premiership leaders' manager.
The Dinamo Kiev midfielder is attracting interest from several clubs and Mourinho's needs are probably only on a short-term basis.
Hence, sources in Portugal claim Mourinho is also thinking about raiding his former club Porto again in order to introduce a fresh option to the equation.
Lucho is a versatile Argentinian who can cover a number of positions in the midfield.
The 24-year-old South American scored on his international debut back in 2003 and has become a regular part of the Argentina squad.
As he is tied to a long-term contract, Porto would be reluctant to allow the former River Plate man to leave cheaply, although Tottenham's Pedro Mendes is being touted as an ideal replacement if Lucho does move on.
Mourinho is understood to be seeking a reliable squad player rather than a high-profile big name.
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, Mourinho is believed to be prepared to bolster his midfield.