Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella has reportedly emerged as a January transfer target for Premier League side Chelsea.

The Blues are said to have stepped up their pursuit for a new central-midfield player ahead of Cesc Fabregas's impending switch to Monaco.

Maurizio Sarri has made it clear to his bosses that a replacement is needed for Fabregas, and The Telegraph reports that Barella could soon be on his way to Stamford Bridge.

Cagliari are believed to be holding out for £45m, while competition may also be provided by Inter Milan and Sarri's former club Napoli for the four-cap Italy international.

Even if Chelsea do win the race for in-demand Barella, meanwhile, it is claimed that they may have to wait until the summer before a deal goes through.

Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool are among the English clubs to have been tipped to move for Barella over the past few months.