Blues still waiting for Shevchenko decision

Andriy Shevchenko is expected to sort his future out with AC Milan later today - as Chelsea stand ready to make a big-money swoop for the Ukrainian striker.

The 29-year-old has been offered a contract extension until 2011 by the Serie A giants.

However, the Blues have long been admirers of Shevchenko, with chief executive Peter Kenyon earlier this week admitting he was still hopeful of landing the 6ft marksman.

Shevchenko was scheduled for a meeting with AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani yesterday, but it had to be rescheduled after the player needed extended treatment on a knee injury for several hours at the Italian club’s training facility.

The striker is now expected to speak with club bosses later today.

Shevchenko said: “I cannot say anything yet – first I have to speak to Galliani.”

It would seem Stamford Bridge is the preferred destination of Shevchenko, who has been at the Italian club for seven years and almost lead them to the final of the Champions League again this season.

With German captain Michael Ballack already on board for next season, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho shows he has every intention of making the Barclays Premiership champions even stronger.

But given the further additions to the squad likely to arrive before and after the World Cup, which could yet include Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos from Real Madrid, it seems inevitable some of the current players will have to be off-loaded.

Mourinho made it clear last week that the club were willing to listen to offers for Iceland striker Eidur Gudjohnsen – and the 27-year-old has since been linked with a move to both Manchester United as well as Barcelona.

German international defender Robert Huth, 21, is reportedly on the verge of a £5million move to Wigan, while the futures of reserve striker Carlton Cole and one-time England right-back Glen Johnson also appear to be away from Stamford Bridge.

Chief executive Kenyon, though, has hinted Chelsea are also keen to invest in youth, and the Blues are understood to be close to securing the services of Nigerian prodigy John Obi Mikel.

The 18-year-old’s career has been on hold while legal wranglings decide whether the contract he had with Norwegian club Lyn Oslo last year is valid.

At the heart of the matter are contracts Mikel signed to join Manchester United, which he has subsequently claimed he was bullied into agreeing by the Red Devils.

Mikel is desperate to resume his career with Chelsea, whom United have accused of hijacking the deal before contacting FIFA over disciplinary action.

However, with compensation now said to be agreed between the two rival Premiership clubs, Mikel looks set to agree a three-year deal with the west-London club.