Kezman moves to Atletico as Chelsea striker quest continues
The Serbo-Montenegrin met with club officials in Madrid yesterday and agreed to sign a three-year contract, subject to a medical today.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo confirmed they have come to an agreement with Chelsea for the 26-year-old, although Kezman still needs to resolve some issues with his club.
Kezman was a bit-part player as Chelsea won the Barclays Premiership last season, scoring four goals in 24 league appearances, although 18 of those were as substitute.
Despite the vast financial resources at their disposal, the Premiership champions have yet to land the world-class striker their manager craves.
Roman Abramovich's millions got Chelsea the best manager money can buy. It got them Manchester United's chief executive, Tottenham's sporting director and a squad full of star players - and some would argue it got them the Premiership title.
Yet despite more than £200m being spent on new talent, the Stamford Bridge faithful await the arrival of a genuine striking star. It is not for want of trying.
Look at the six that got away. Inter Milan's Adriano, Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, Arsenal's Thierry Henry, AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko, Juventus' David Trezeguet and Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres have all been linked with a move to Chelsea - but all are still with their clubs.
The Blues' top scorer last season was midfielder Frank Lampard. Eidur Gudjohnsen is not an out-an-out striker, while Didier Drogba and Kezman both failed to fire in their first season at the club.
Mourinho has had no difficulty bringing in Athletic Bilbao left-back Asier del Horno and Lyon midfielder Michael Essien.
But his search for a striker has so far drawn a blank - and not just because of the weather.
One problem for the Londoners is that the players they are trying to attract are already at big clubs. It is one thing persuading Arjen Robben to leave PSV Eindhoven or Scott Parker to turn his back on Charlton - another to convince Shevchenko to move from Milan.
The other problem is convincing the clubs to sell their star men. A prolific forward can be the difference to winning or losing the Champions League.
That can translate to £45m in the bank, and therefore it makes little sense to cash him in to a rival.
As Mourinho admitted: "It is very difficult for Chelsea to sign players because the team is already good and great clubs want to keep their best players."
Football agent Jeff Weston believes there may be time for Chelsea to get their man.
"Any player would be interested in playing for Chelsea because they are successful at the moment. All any player wants is to be at the top of their profession. And there's plenty of time left this summer."
However Kezman's departure may now seal Hernan Crespo's return. He had been on loan with AC Milan where he enjoyed a hugely-successful season - scoring twice in the Champions League final defeat.
Crespo is desperate to stay in Italy but Chelsea want him to report back for pre-season training on July 6.
He is reported to be ready to accept a massive pay cut to ensure he stays with Milan.
Mourinho is still keen on Inter Milan ace Adriano but they are unlikely to land him unless they are prepared to meet the massive asking price of £90million.
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