Chelsea set to clinch Makelele deal
Chelsea were reported to be poised to complete the signing of Real Madrid's France international midfielder Claude Makelele for 14 million pounds (22 million dollars).
Chelsea were reported to be poised to complete the signing of Real Madrid's France international midfielder Claude Makelele for 14 million pounds (22 million dollars).
Media reports in Britain and France said that despite Real Madrid's reluctance to talk about the transfer, both Chelsea and the player himself were confident they could complete the deal before Sunday's transfer deadline.
Chelsea and Real Madrid officials were believed to have met after the Champions League draw in Monte Carlo on Thursday.
The 30-year-old Makelele, angry he is the lowest-paid player at Real, has told his Real Madrid teammates he no longer wants to play for the Spanish champions.
He has two years left on his contract and could earn 50,000 pounds a week with Chelsea.
His arrival would take Chelsea's spending to over 100 milion pounds (158 million dollars) since Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich paid 140 million pounds (233 million dollars) for the London club in July.
They have already paid 96 million pounds (150 million dollars) to bring Hernan Crespo, Adrian Mutu, Juan-Sebastian Veron, Damien Duff, Geremi, Joe Cole, Wayne Bridge, Glen Johnson, Alexei Smertin and Marc Ambrosio to Stamford Bridge.