According to reports in The Sun, Chelsea are lining up a £15m January move for CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, who they see as Cesc Fabregas' long-term replacement.

What's the word, then?

Well, The Sun says that Blues owner Roman Abramovich is keen to snap up his fellow Russian, who has been impressing for CSKA this season.

The Sun says the 21-year-old is expecting to be his country's leading light at the 2018 World Cup in his home nation next summer, and if the west London outfit do sign him in a £15m deal they would either bring him into Antonio Conte's squad right away, or loan him back to the Russian outfit for the rest of the season.

The report adds that Chelsea would prefer to tie him down now rather than waiting until after the World Cup in case his performances there attract a whole host of new bidders.

How has Golovin done this season?

The 21-year-old has done very well.

The Russia international has established himself as a key player for CSKA, scoring three goals and providing a further four assists in 28 appearances in all competitions this term from a range of different midfield positions.

Despite only celebrating his latest birthday in May, he only needs to make two more appearances for his club to hit up a century of outings, while he has scored two goals in 15 caps for his country.

He is an all-round midfielder and WhoScored.com lists his strengths as being his passing, dribbling, long shots, holding on to the ball, tackling and his defensive contribution.

Would he be a good signing for Chelsea?

He certainly would be.

To get a player with big potential for £15m in this day and age would certainly be a coup, and Golovin's career progress to date and his versatility suggest that he could prove to be a very useful addition.

The 21-year-old is capable as playing as either an attacking, central or defensive midfielder, and he may finally be able to replace Nemanja Matic with Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayoko so far struggling to impress.

That said, his attacking abilities should mean that he could also be seen as a long-term replacement for Cesc Fabregas in the middle of the park.

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