Chelsea are reportedly ready to finally grant Jose Mourinho's request of signing a new defender.
Mourinho is desperately looking to bolster his rearguard after losing John Terry and Khalid Boulahrouz to injury over the last few weeks.
Terry, who is still a couple of weeks away from returning to action, has been sorely missed in the Chelsea defence with Michael Essien and Paulo Ferreira being used as makeshift centre backs in the last few games.
Mourinho and the Chelsea board are thought to be at loggerheads over the need for reinforcements with Roman Abramovich believed to be unwilling to splash out big on a new defender.
The Portuguese tactician revealed after last week's Carling Cup draw with Wycombe that no money was being made available to bring in new players to ease his side's defensive problems.
However, a compromise is thought to have been reached between Mourinho and Chelsea's powerbrokers.
Manchester City's Micah Richards has been continually linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but Mourinho is adamant he will not be held to ransom for any transfer target with City believed to be looking for around £18million for the England defender.
Chelsea are now ready to turn their attentions to Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim who is a cheaper option than Richards.
Ben Haim's future at Bolton is uncertain with his current contract expiring in the summer and no new deal being agreed as yet.
The Israeli international could leave for free at the end of the season, but Bolton could be prepared to do business this month if Chelsea offer them a suitable fee.