Inter Milan refused to be drawn out on the future of Chelsea target Maicon, but admitted a decision would be made soon, while the Blues sent highly-rated midfielder Josh McEachran on a season-long loan move to Middlesbrough.
Brazilian international Maicon has been constantly linked with a move away from Inter, with Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid the interested clubs.
The European champions are in dire need of a right-back, with Branislav Ivanonic, who played at the position in Chelsea's opening game against Wigan, preferring the central defensive position.
While Chelsea have been on a signing rampage of youngsters, Maicon would fit right in with the Blues, but it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can come to an agreement.
"In my view, Maicon is the best in the world, but obviously there are different evaluations to be made, as there is more than just fondness or monetary value," Inter manager Andrea Stramaccioni told Sky Italia.
"All of Inter cares about the Brazilian, as he is a fantastic lad. We'll have to see what happens. This Inter side does need to be completed, that is beyond doubt.
"Something will certainly happen before August 31. In fact, I'd say before August 26."
Some reports earlier suggested Roberto Di Matteo's move to bring in Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille had broken down, forcing the Blues to go back to the experienced Brazilian. But, Azpilicueta remains the prime target for Di Matteo, with the Italian moving for the experienced 31-year-old only if a deal with Marseille cannot be agreed upon.
The signing of the Marseille man became more probable, after the Spaniard said in the Daily Mirror: "Everyone thinks it's been a tough time with my thoughts split between Marseille and Chelsea.
"But if my departure can help Marseille's finances, it's good for everyone."
Chelsea confirmed McEachran had made a move to Championship side Middlesbrough on a season-long loan.
"Josh McEachran has today (Monday) joined Championship side Middlesbrough on a season-long loan," the club said in a statement on their official website.
Meanwhile, new boy Eden Hazard is not fazed by the rough treatment meted out by players in the English Premier League. Hazard was the star for Chelsea in their first match of the season, having a hand in both goals scored by the club.
Due to the trickery of Hazard causing headaches for the Wigan defense, the Belgian international was on the receiving end of a few hard tackles, but the 21-year-old said he was not too bothered by it. "I already had a taste of these kinds of tackles in the Community Shield," he said. "I was kicked quite a bit in the first half against Wigan but, in France, it was already like that for me.
"I wasn't aware I was the most fouled player in the match, I wasn't counting them.
"At the start of the game, you could see the way I play and the most important thing is I'm not injured."
Despite a man-of-the-match performance in his first ever game in the English Premier League, Hazard believes he can play better. "There are still a lot of things I can do better," Hazard added.
"I lost a lot of balls in the second half, but I contributed what was asked of me. I was asked to be decisive and I was, with the penalty and an assist."
