Chelsea have agreed a fee for Florent Malouda, who will have a medical in London on Monday.
Malouda’s club Lyon were thought to have accepted a £13.5m for the 27-year-old France international.
“Chelsea are completely in agreement with the amount we’re looking for,” Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told the club’s TV channel.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon revealed last week that the club hoped to seal the deal before they flew to Los Angeles for a pre-season tour on Tuesday.
“It’s fantastic and great news for Florent,” added Aulas.
“I’ve just phoned him and he’s going to be able to undergo a medical in London on Monday.”
Malouda has won four French titles with Lyon and was voted best Ligue 1 player last season.
He was a member of the France squad who reached last year’s World Cup final, a match they lost to Italy.
Malouda becomes the fourth Chelsea signing of the summer, following teh earlier arrivals on free transfers of Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim.