Chelsea are reportedly poised to steal a march on their rivals by signing Southampton's highly-rated left-back Luke Shaw in January.
Manager Jose Mourinho is said to be on the hunt to identify a long-term replacement for 33-year-old Ashley Cole, with Shaw believed to fit the bill.
However, according to The Mirror, the prospective deal hinges on the Blues' capabilities to convince the 18-year-old - who supported Chelsea as a boy - that he will be afforded first-team opportunities immediately rather than being Cole's under-study in West London.
The youngster's touted arrival at Stamford Bridge would then increase the likelyhood of Ryan Bertrand leaving the club, with Liverpool among those said to be keen on the 24-year-old.
Shaw, who has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United, has been a regular fixture for the Saints so far this season, with the starlet making 14 appearances and helping the South Coast outfit to ninth in the Premier League table.
Victory over managerless Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium this afternoon would see Mauricio Pochettino's men leap-frog Spurs into eighth place.
Shane Callaghan
