Chelsea appear to be closing on the capture of Athletic Bilbao full back Asier Del Horno.
The Spain international has emerged as Jose Mourinho's prime target to fill one of his transfer criteria for next season.
Mourinho wants to add a left back to his championship-winning squad and has seemingly dropped his interest in Arsenal's Ashley Cole following the tapping-up row.
Del Horno has been linked to The Blues for the past few months and a deal between all parties is now near to being struck.
Blues officials held talks with their Bilbao counterparts at the start of the week and Del Horno's agent was in London on Tuesday for further discussions.
The 24-year-old has a buyout clause in his contract of €20 million (£13.5 million) and Bilbao have previously stated they are willing to sell if this figure is met.
But reports in Spain suggest the Basque outfit are now prepared to accept a sum slightly below the amount in the player's contract.
A fee of €17 million (£11.5 million) has been put forward and it appears as though this has been sufficient to convince Bilbao to cash in on the defender.
Del Horno is tipped to sign a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge and his anticipated arrival in West London will, at least, shorten Mourinho's search for fresh talent in the summer.
Real Madrid have been keeping a watching brief on Chelsea's negotiations with Bilbao but they are unlikely to be willing to match the money their Premiership counterparts are offering.
if chelse sign del horno do u think they would sign zambrotta
The Spain international has emerged as Jose Mourinho's prime target to fill one of his transfer criteria for next season.
Mourinho wants to add a left back to his championship-winning squad and has seemingly dropped his interest in Arsenal's Ashley Cole following the tapping-up row.
Del Horno has been linked to The Blues for the past few months and a deal between all parties is now near to being struck.
Blues officials held talks with their Bilbao counterparts at the start of the week and Del Horno's agent was in London on Tuesday for further discussions.
The 24-year-old has a buyout clause in his contract of €20 million (£13.5 million) and Bilbao have previously stated they are willing to sell if this figure is met.
But reports in Spain suggest the Basque outfit are now prepared to accept a sum slightly below the amount in the player's contract.
A fee of €17 million (£11.5 million) has been put forward and it appears as though this has been sufficient to convince Bilbao to cash in on the defender.
Del Horno is tipped to sign a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge and his anticipated arrival in West London will, at least, shorten Mourinho's search for fresh talent in the summer.
Real Madrid have been keeping a watching brief on Chelsea's negotiations with Bilbao but they are unlikely to be willing to match the money their Premiership counterparts are offering.
if chelse sign del horno do u think they would sign zambrotta
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