Hot property: Yuri Zhirkov is set to leave CSKA
Moscow
Yuri Zhirkov is expected to be a
Chelsea player by the middle of
next week. The versatile Russia wide man is ready to sign a
four-year contract worth £80,000 a week and an £18million fee has
reportedly been agreed with CSKA Moscow.
The deal was agreed in principle six months ago but has been
complicated by Zhirkov's preference for playing for Barcelona and
his fear of being just a squad player at Stamford Bridge.
But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who spoke to Zhirkov after
Russia's match in Finland earlier this month, is said to have
assured the 25-year-old he will be highly valued by new boss Carlo
Ancelotti.
Supporter: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich watched
Russia in Finland
Zhirkov can play left wing or left back and there is a
suggestion that Salomon Kalou could be off-loaded by the Blues' new
Italian boss.
Former AC Milan boss Ancelotti has given the green light to the
Zhirkov deal after seeing Russia's 3-0 win in Helsinki and was also
said to be interested in Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman
Pavlyuchenko. However, no enquiry has been made for the White Hart
Lane man.
The Euro 2008 star has put a dampener on the move by declaring a
childhood love for Barcelona. And although the European champions
are keen, they are put off by the high fee and are turning to
Deportivo la Coruna's Brazilian full-back Filipe Luis, who will
cost half the price.
CSKA boss Zico is resigned to losing his star player and has
already handed a list of targets to club president Yevgeny
Giner.
