Chelsea chase Geremi

Real Madrid defender Geremi is ready to complete a £6.6 million move to Chelsea this week. "I am not a regular here and Chelsea are more than a good team," said the Cameroon international.

The Spanish press reported on Wednesday that Arsenal had discussed the highly-rated player with Real directors, but Chelsea have stolen a march in the race for the 22-year-old.

Real and Chelsea officials have already agreed a fee for Geremi. The Spanish champions wanted £7.2 million while Chelsea originally offered £5.8 million, but a compromise was agreed and the fee set at £6.6 million.

Geremi, who played a key role on the right during Cameroon's triumph at the African Nations Cup in 2000, admitted that his failure to dislodge Michel Salgado from the starting line-up has led him to leave the Bernabeu.

"I have a contract with Real Madrid and they can sell me if they want, but they have to ask me first. I am happy here but I am not a regular."

The player laughed off reports linking him to Arsenal, saying: "I haven't talked with my agent Lucidio Ribeiro and he would have phoned me if there was any interest from other teams."

Geremi cost former Real Madrid coach John Toshack £2.5 million from Turkish side Genclerbiligi in 1999. He had just collected the foreign player of the season award.

He almost left Real last summer. Leeds, Chelsea and Benfica were all interested and a Madrid source revealed: "Geremi is one of the players who we need to get rid of to cut our wage bill."

"He was brought in by John Toshack, but now there is a new regime and he is surplus to requirements. He did not figure much towards the end of last season."

Chelsea are embarking on their annual summer cash-splash, having signed defender William Gallas from Marseille for £6.2 million and had an £11 million bid accepted for West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard.