New manager Andre Villas-Boas decided his squad had been significantly weakened by the loss of the injured Michael Essien to warrant a reported £4.5million offer for the 19-year-old Romeu.

The defensive midfielder is currently on international duty with Spain at the Under-20 World Cup and has yet to undergo a medical or agree personal terms.

He made his first-team debut for Barcelona at the end of last season but head coach Pep Guardiola deemed him surplus to requirements.

Romeu is set to become the second signing of the Villas-Boas era, with Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois having agreed to move from Genk.

And that is unlikely to be the end of Chelsea's spending before the start of the season.

They have seen two bids for Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric rejected this summer and are reportedly preparing a third and final offer in the region of £35million.

They are also said to have made a bid of up to £18million for Anderlecht wonderkid Romelu Lukaku, while Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini today claimed the Blues were competing with Manchester City and Roma for the signature of Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore.

Zamparini, who values midfielder Pastore at £40million-plus, told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I cannot say who has the advantage between Chelsea, Manchester City or Roma. I can only underline that I'm interested in cash deals.

"We are at the final stages and will evaluate the offers on Tuesday. When we see which the real proposals are, then we can go forward."

Any move for Pastore or a renewed bid for Modric would appear to have the blessing of Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay.

He told the Blues' official Thailand supporters' club during a question-and-answer session in Bangkok yesterday: "From our activity in the marketplace in the past, if the coach feels there is a player available that can strengthen our team then we almost definitely go into the marketplace."

Like Romeu, Pastore would help fill the void left by Essien, who was recently ruled out for six months with a serious knee injury.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Chelsea's latest pre-season friendly against Thailand All Stars tomorrow, Villas-Boas said: "It is a part of the squad in which we are struggling with numbers because of Michael Essien's injury and Oriol is a player with a bright future. He still has to evolve as a player.

"The Barcelona B team had a magnificent year in the Spanish second division - they finished third.

"Oriol had an injury during the season but he came back late on and was in time to play for the first team.

"So he is one of the most promising young players in that position and hopefully we can agree personal terms and hopefully he will pass a medical."

Villas-Boas also revealed the decision to loan Courtois to Atletico Madrid once he completes his transfer had not been finalised.

"The Spanish league is an extremely competitive league and Atletico is a great club to be at but it is not decided yet on his future," Villas-Boas said.

"It is still a couple of days until we can confirm agreement between all three parties."

Chelsea are also hoping to tie Didier Drogba to a one-year contract extension, with the veteran striker having revealed he was hopeful of staying on beyond the end of his current deal, which expires next summer.

Villas-Boas must decide on the futures of several other players, who have struggled to impress in the Blues' opening two official pre-season friendlies and will have another chance to do so tomorrow.

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Lukaku, 18, has been touted as a long-term replacement for Drogba.

But Anderlecht general manager Herman Van Holsbeeck has claimed Chelsea's hopes of signing Lukaku were no better than "50-50".

He added in a news conference: "If a club like Chelsea pays the target amount, he leaves.

"We are looking to make clear agreements next week, but Lukaku from a sporting aspect is much more important that the financial picture.

"And he is in no rush to leave - and if August 31 comes and he does not leave, then perhaps staying another year could be better.

"But we do not want this to drag on, it's not a complicated matter - they know the asking price."

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Despite Chelsea's apparent attempts to land Lukaku and Modric, Villas-Boas has insisted they do not need to compete with Manchester United's spending this summer.

"It's not a case of spending straight away when we don't need to do that," he was quoted as saying in several national newspapers.

"We hope it will prove to be the successful approach.

"United have decided to sign players after losing some to retirement and they have reinforced those sectors. We will decide what sectors we need to reinforce in our own team."

He added of last season: "Chelsea came back with an extremely good recovery.

"This club had an opportunity to win the title and that shows how competitive we can be."