Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has reportedly been identified as an alternative to Argentina teammate Enzo Fernandez by Chelsea.
After raiding the Seagulls for boss Graham Potter and defender Marc Cucurella, the Blues could now look to nab the 24-year-old World Cup winner.
Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Mac Allister if they miss out on Fernandez
The west London outfit are desperate to bolster their midfield in January with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante facing uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are in advanced talks with Benfica over a move to sign Fernandez, who was named as the Best Young Player in Qatar.
It is understood that Chelsea are willing to activate his whopping £105million release, though Benfica are trying to persuade the 23-year-old to stay until the summer.
Should Fernandez fail to make the move to England, The Times have stated that the Club World Cup champions will instead target Fernandez's compatriot Mac Allister.
Both men proved influential for Argentina at the World Cup, where they started every knockout game - including the final victory over France.
Mac Allister is claimed to be a more affordable option for Chelsea and is Premier League proven having impressed in the top-flight for the last four seasons.
The Blues are hopeful they can snap up Benfica star Fernandez in the New Year
He is also familiar with Potter's style of play and would need no time in adapting to Chelsea's system.
But Fernandez remains the priority for Chelsea, with the club hopeful a deal can be agreed in the New Year.
It promises to be a busy winter transfer window for Chelsea, who have already snapped up striker David Datro Fofana from Molde.
Signed for £10.6m, the 20-year-old will link up with the Blues at the start of next month.
Fernandez and Mac Allister helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar
Another potential incoming is Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile, who has been linked with Manchester United in the past.
But it is Chelsea that are in pole position in the quest to secure the services of the highly-rated 21-year-old.
A fee of around £35million has been mooted for the defender.
Meanwhile his French compatriot Christopher Nkunku has agreed a deal to join Chelsea in the summer from RB Leipzig.
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