Denmark winger Jesper Gronkjaer has joined Birmingham from Chelsea for £2.2m (€3.3m).

CHELSEA brought the final curtain down on the Claudio Ranieri era yesterday, announcing they had reached an “amicable” agreement with the Italian who had exited the stage last week.

Claudio Ranieri’s representative has rejected claims the former Chelsea manager will be forced to take a reduced pay settlement from the Stamford Bridge club in order to take up the reins at Valencia.

Claudio Ranieri admits he is keen on a return to Valencia, but the Italian looks set to have to wait until negotiations over his settlement with Chelsea are completed before making a move back into management.

Claudio Ranieri’s representative today welcomed the assurance by Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon that the club would honour their former manager’s contract “in full”.

Jose Mourinho is expected to become Chelsea coach in the next 48 hours – with yet another of his Porto players expressing a desire to join him at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho is set to fly into London today to complete the formalities of his move to Chelsea following the departure of manager Claudio Ranieri.

Claudio Ranieri’s future could be decided today when he meets Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Claudio Ranieri wants to learn on Wednesday whether or not he will still be at Stamford Bridge next season.

Claudio Ranieri has revealed that he would like to stay in England if, as expected, he is sacked by Chelsea this summer.

By Gavin Cordon and Jon Smith

By Jon Smith BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman insisted yesterday it was entirely up to the premier and his wife if they saw lifestyle guru Carole Caplin "in a personal capacity".

Rangers will not make any immediate move for Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips unless the Wearsiders drop the asking price for the player.

Premiership clubs will bide their time before plunging into the transfer market this summer as the money men keep a tight grip on the purse strings.

David Beckham will not be the first player to have an image rights clause in his contract if he signs a new deal with Manchester United.

Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly has insisted an achilles injury - and not concerns over the current unrest in the Middle East - caused him to pull out of his side’s UEFA Cup tie with Tel Aviv tomorrow.