Southampton are in talks with Chelsea over a deal for academy graduate Tino Anjorin.
The 20-year-old is in the process of cutting short his loan deal with Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow before moving again this month.
Southampton, who have become a home away from home for Chelsea graduates, signed Tino Livramento on a permanent and Armando Broja on loan from the Blues in the summer. Furthermore, defender Dynel Simeu signed a three-year deal with Southampton after leaving Chelsea at the end of last season. Simeu this week joined Carlisle on loan for the rest of the season.
Both Livramento and Broja have been roaring successes on the south coast this season and the Saints are keen to make the latter’s loan permanent. Talks have been held this month in order to get ahead of other interested parties - including top four chasing West Ham - but a deal in the summer appears more likely.
Anjorin cannot join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side on loan as they already have one Chelsea player on a temporary deal, but talks have been opened over the possibility of a permanent transfer before Monday’s deadline.
If that cannot be reached a loan to the Championship for the attacking midfielder, who is just about recovered from a broken metatarsal, is the most likely route with Southampton ready to return in the summer.
Talks are at an early stage and no fee as yet been agreed, though the Blues did include a £17million option to buy in the loan deal with Lokomotiv Moscow.
Southampton are prepared to move to add further promising young players to the squad, backed by fresh investment following the takeover by Serbian billionaire Dragan Solak and his Sport Republic group.
