Last Updated: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:13
Chelsea are closing in on an £18million swoop for Yuri Zhirkov after CSKA Moscow hinted the playmaker is ready to move.
The Blues have been strongly linked with the player since the end of the season but now reports claim that Carlo Ancelotti is close to completing his first signing.
Barcelona had been keen on the 25-year-old but have since dropped out of the running leaving the way clear for Chelsea to swoop for the Russian international.
CSKA manager Zico is preparing for Zhirkov's departure and it is thought a deal could be pushed through by the end of the week.
"Currently in football there is no player who is able to replace him," Zico revealed. "Zhirkov to CSKA is like Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United or Kaka to AC Milan."
As soon as Carlo Ancelloti makes his first signing we will send out mobile alerts on our new sms service.