Monaco striker Fernando Morientes, is set to join Chelsea next season, according to French sport daily l’Equipe.
Morientes has spent the season on loan from Real Madrid and was widely expected to return to the Spanish club at the end of the season but Morientes was quoted by l’Equipe as saying he was about to sign a permanent deal with an unnamed club.
“We’re getting closer to a solution and we can say we’re almost there,’ said the striker.
“I like the idea a lot but it could take some time to finalise the deal and, in the meantime, it is very likely that I’ll return to Madrid as soon as the season is over.’
According to l’Equipe, Morientes has been offered a five-year contract by Chelsea, who are ready to pay €12m to buy out the Spanish international’s contract from Real.
