Reports: Chelsea edge closer to completing 5th signing of transfer window

What's the story?

It is safe to say that Chelsea and Antonio Conte have not had the best of transfer windows this season. However, it looks like there might finally be some good news as their main midfield target, Danny Drinkwater has reportedly handed in a transfer request at Leicester City.

Another major boost for the Premier League champions is the fact that Leicester City themselves are close to signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva and are now open to selling Drinkwater for a fee close to £30 million according to reports in Daily Mirror.

Since the departure of Matic, the Blues looked slightly short on depth in the midfield department, but the potential arrival of the English midfielder should add experience, depth, and quality to the Chelsea squad.

In case you didn't know...

Drinkwater's long talked about move to Chelsea is close to completion

The Premier League winner has been desperate for a move to Chelsea even handing in a transfer request. The Foxes were waiting for a replacement to be found and with Silva now close to joining, the 2015/16 Premier League champions are ready to sell Drinkwater for a fee close to £30 million.

An integral part of Leicester City's fairytale Premier League triumph, Drinkwater has vast experience of playing in the Premier League and his tactical nous, passing skills and positioning will definitely come in handy for The Blues this season.

The heart of the matter

Chelsea have missed out on a number of targets like Romelu Lukaku, Alex Sandro and now Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but they are determined to tie down this deal before the transfer window ends.

Conte is also reportedly in the race to sign free-agent Bacary Sagna and 2-3 deals are expected to be completed on deadline day for the Premier League champions.

What's next?

After making a terrible start against Burnley, the Premier League champions have bounced back with some good performances. With a couple of signings expected to join before the deadline ends, Conte will be looking to mount a serious Premier League challenge this season.

Author's tale

Drinkwater has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea and with the Blues desperate to add some squad depth, this deal is most likely to go through in the coming hours.

Also, Drinkwater is an England international and his arrival will include the homegrown quota at Chelsea making this deal an extremely intelligent one for the Premier League champions.