Zhirkov flies to London to undergo medical at Chelsea

YURI ZHIRKOV last night flew to London in order to undergo a medical with Chelsea as his £18 million (€21m) switch to the London outfit moved a step closer according to reports in his native Russia.

The CSKA Moscow star, who can play at left-back and on the left wing, has been close to joining the Blues all summer and despite speculation AC Milan were pondering a bid it now appears likely that he will be unveiled as manager Carlo Ancelotti's first major signing this week. The 25-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester United in the past, is expected to negotiate personnel terms once his medical is complete.

The respected Russian daily newspaper Sport Express revealed that Zhirkov had left his homeland to board a plane destined for London yesterday.