Jose Mourinho given funds for midfielder?

Roman Abramovich has given manager Jose Mourinho the green light to sign a defensive midfielder for Chelsea in the January transfer window, according to a report.

The Portuguese boss, who is in his second stint at Stamford Bridge, is keen to bolster his midfield options, as neither Ramires nor Jon Obi Mikel has impressed the 50-year-old so far this season.

The Times reports that club owner Abramovich has told Mourinho that he can add another midfielder to his ranks, with Nemanja Matic his top target. Fredy Guarin of Inter Milan is also a possibility.

Meanwhile, The Mirror has reported that Ivan Rakitic may arrive in London from Sevilla and that Southampton left-back Luke Shaw will join Mourinho's team in January.