posted on May, 20 2004 @ 04:03 PM
Spain striker Fernando Morientes claims a deal which would see him join an unnamed club at the end of the season is "90% done".
The 28-year-old has spent the season on loan at Monaco after falling out of favour at Real Madrid.
And, despite still having two years left on his contract with the recently-deposed Spanish champions, Morientes is eager to further his career
elsewhere.
According to French newspaper L'Equipe, Chelsea are the club in question but a cautious Morientes refused to reveal their identity.
Morientes, who has also been linked with a move to Juventus, Roma and Arsenal, is reportedly the top target of Chelsea's Russian owner Roman
Abramovich - a man who would have no qualms about paying the 12million euro asking price.
Abramovich is thought to have been impressed by the player during Monaco's two-legged victory over the London side in the semi-finals of the Champions
League where Morientes scored in both games.
The link with Roma came as speculation mounts that Madrid may use him as a bargaining tool to try and attract Argentina defender Walter Samuel to the
Bernabeu.
Morientes, however, has firm ideas about where he wants to go next season.