Mourinho poised to finally clinch deal for elusive Essien

GHANA midfielder Michael Essien is poised to join Chelsea from Olympique Lyon, a source close to the French champions said last night.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas had said he would make a decision about the future of Essien within the next 24 hours.

Aulas, who has repeatedly said he will not sell the Ghanaian for less than 45 million, met Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and chief executive Peter Kenyon on Friday.