With the January transfer window fast approaching, all eyes will be on Chelsea and their recruitment drive after a memorable summer window.
After finishing fourth in Frank Lampard's maiden season in charge at Stamford Bridge last term, Chelsea made the decision to loosen the purse strings during the summer and launch a sensational raid on the transfer market.
In total, the Blues drafted in seven new big-name signings, including big-money moves for the likes of Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.
Although the club spent more than £220million during the summer, they were still keen to wrap up a deal for West Ham United and England midfield enforcer Declan Rice before the bell.
However, the Blues, who will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, were unable to meet the Hammers' demands, with the east London outfit seeking a fee of around £80million.
Not only was that a massive fee for Chelsea to find, but the club also held reservations about whether or not Rice was worthy of such a huge price tag.
But with the January window now less than a month away from opening, the Blues are being linked with a move for Rice once again, with reports in the national media stating that the club are expected to rekindle their interest in his services, as Lampard aims to strengthen his midfield options.
However, after spending a massive amount of money in the summer window, as well as the Hammers most likely to dig their heels in as far as keeping hold of Rice is concerned, the Blues may look elsewhere to source an alternative defensive-midfielder - or certainly someone who can play in that role.
And according to a report by Sky Sports, Chelsea, along with the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, are keeping a watchful eye on the development of highly-rated Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Ben White.
Like Rice, White is considered as one of English football's brightest prospects, with the centre-back tipped to soon join Rice in playing for England.
Whilst it may seem unusual that Chelsea could turn to a centre-back as an alternative to Rice to anchor the midfield, the 23-year-old, who has started every league match for the Seagulls this season, has played as a defensive-midfielder in the past, taking on the role on various occasions whilst on loan at Leeds United last season.
Admittedly, White has not played in that role for Brighton this term, but he could be capable of being converted into a defensive-midfielder by Lampard.
Though any deal for White would not come cheaply, it is expected that he would cost considerably less than Rice, as the Brighton ace does not boast as much Premier League experience, with Rice having made 98 Premier League appearances more than him, and is yet to make it as an international footballer, although that only seems to be a matter of time.
Taking into account those two factors, plus the fact that White recently signed a new long-term deal on the South Coast, it is highly likely that Brighton would value White somewhere between £40million - £50million.
Admittedly, that still remains a huge amount of money for a club to find, but with him remaining a cheaper option to Rice and his best years still ahead of him, it would make sense for the Blues to launch a move for the former Peterborough United and Newport County loanee.
Since returning to Brighton from his loan spell at Elland Road last season, White has been an ever-present figure in Brighton's back-three, striking up a solid bond with the likes of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster.
In total, White has racked up 11 appearances in all competitions for the Seagulls this season, helping them record two clean sheets during that period.
