Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has refused to be drawn into commenting on speculation regarding Moises Caicedo, despite admitting that Chelsea want to sign a new midfielder.
While the Blues can claim to have enjoyed a productive period in the transfer market, Pochettino is lacking the Premier-League-proven midfielder that he craves.
For much of the summer window, Chelsea have been regarded as the clear favourites to secure a deal for Brighton & Hove Albion's Caicedo, who has been valued at £100m.
However, in the early hours of Friday morning, Liverpool agreed a deal with the Seagulls for the Ecuador international, Jurgen Klopp openly commenting on the development in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Since then, though, reports have emerged that Chelsea are prepared to better the offer made by Liverpool, their opponents on Sunday, and Caicedo is said to have informed the Merseyside giants that he only wants to move to Stamford Bridge.
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With Pochettino's media briefing occurring less than an hour after the latest report, the Argentine was inevitably going to be quizzed on the situation.
Although the recently-appointed boss stressed that he wanted to remain "respectful", he acknowledged that he was eager to sign at least one new midfielder as soon as possible.
Pochettino told reporters: "I never talk about players who do not belong to us. I am so respectful. I can tell you that we are working really hard to add more players to the squad of quality and, of course, if we have some update to make for you, the club will do.
"At the moment, I do not want to talk about players that do not belong to us. That is really important, to be very respectful with other clubs and the player.
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"But, like any club, we are working really hard to try to add more quality and to reinforce the team, squad, and yes, I am so happy with how we are working hard to do things, with Paul (Winstanley), Laurence (Stewart), the owners, the relationship is really, really good, really close.
He then added: "I think it is obvious that, when you look at the squad, and you compare with last season, too many midfielders leave the squad, and we have different options.
"We are working hard to see, but being really respectful with the names that are there, and of course with the clubs that belong with the players, but for us, it is important to be respectful. That is the way that I love to work."
Chelsea head into the game with Liverpool on Sunday with Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Andrey Santos and Lesley Ugochukwu as his options for the two central-midfield slots, with Carney Chukwuemeka expected to feature as the most creative of a three or as a number 10.
Offers have allegedly been made for each of Southampton's Romeo Lavia and Leeds United's Tyler Adams, although it is unclear whether Chelsea will be in the position to progress with either bid if they pay in excess of £110m for Caicedo.
Darren Plant
