Last Updated: Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:57
Michael Ballack was left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad because he has agreed to join Real Madrid, according to reports.
The Stamford Bridge outfit announced this week that the Germany international was officially dropped from their 23-man squad because of an ongoing ankle injury - but reports now claim he has agreed a staggering £135,000-a-week deal with the La Liga champions.
The 30-year-old has failed to live up to his reputation since arriving in west London on a free transfer from Bayern Munich last summer and could be granted his wish to leave.
However, manager Jose Mourinho will reportedly offer Ballack a final chance to resurrect his Chelsea career if he responds well to being left out of the club's Euro squad.
Ballack was linked with a move to Real just before the transfer window closed at the end of August, with Bernd Schuster confirming earlier this week that a deal had been close.