Duff a step closer to Chelsea move

DAMIEN DUFF is set to hold talks with Chelsea over a £17 million transfer after pulling out of a pre-season tour to the United States at the last minute following a club record bid.

However, Chelsea chief executive Trevor Birch may yet have to persuade Duff that his future should lie at Stamford Bridge rather than holding out for a possible move to Old Trafford.

Chelsea hope that Duff will become the third recruit to Roman Abramovich's new-look squad, with Geremi confirmed last night as a £6.9 million signing to join former West Ham defender Glen Johnson.

Abramovich is also closing in on Southampton full-back Wayne Bridge, while he remains interested in Juan Sebastian Veron, Edgar Davids and Patrick Vieira, among many others.

Coach Claudio Ranieri is nevertheless hoping that Duff can be persuaded to move to Stamford Bridge by the lure of the Champions League and lucrative personal terms.

The 24-year-old winger had been due to take part in Blackburn's pre-season tour of the United States before Chelsea finally made a successful fifth offer of £17 million cash, triggering the release clause in his contract.

Blackburn nevertheless warned that "it is by no means certain at this stage that Duff will agree to the move".

However, Duff's advisers were understood to be in Dublin yesterday, although talks could start today as Chelsea will no doubt be keen to ensure the deal goes through before their own mini-tour to Malaysia next week.

Then again, Duff has previously interested Manchester United and Liverpool, only for both clubs to be put off by the high asking price.

United may still be interested in Ronaldinho and Kleberson, but their sale of David Beckham and the possible acquisition of Veron by Chelsea could yet release funds for Ferguson to hijack the Duff deal.

The decision therefore rests with the Republic of Ireland international, whom Ranieri is clearly hoping to partner with Bridge down the left flank in his new-look Blues line-up.

Chelsea are understood to have raised their original £6 million offer for the England international left-back to around £7 million, although no firm agreement has yet been reached.