Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has described the £15million deal for Everton's Ross Barkley as a 'good investment' for the club.
England midfielder Barkley is out of contract at Goodison Park at the end of this season, after rejecting a new deal with the Toffees.
Toffees boss Sam Allardyce made it clear earlier this week that the club were 'resigned' to losing him, and now appears close to a January move to Stamford Bridge.
He would have been available for free in the summer, but Chelsea are prepared to pay now to snap up his services ahead of any other interested clubs.