Chelsea are recalling Aaron Anselmino from his loan at Borussia Dortmund.
The Argentine impressed at the German club in the first half of the season and will now return to Chelsea.
The Blues are monitoring the centre-back market as they look to strengthen in that position. They are also open to market opportunities in other positions as the transfer window approaches its February 2 deadline.
Their first move on this front is now to recall 20-year-old Anselmino, Standard Sport understands.
Final decisions on how the centre-back position will look by the time the window closes have not yet been taken, and there Chelsea retain the ability to also recall Mamadou Sarr from his loan at sister club Strasbourg if they choose to.
It is expected that 19-year-old England youth international Josh Acheampong will remain with the first team beyond the window, despite interest, and he is considered strictly not for sale.
Chelsea have interest in Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes, Jacobo Ramon of Como and Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth in the centre-back position.
They have held talks with Rennes over the possibility of signing Jacquet this month but the French club are loathe to lose him to Chelsea or any other interested club midway through the season.
