Soccer/ FA Premiership: Michael Ballack will be announced today as the first of a likely five Chelsea signings this summer. The German international midfielder agreed a £6-million-a-year salary package three months ago after deciding to quit Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
Ballack will be the first new component in a much-changed Chelsea team designed to achieve results with more flair.
The Premiership champions are also seeking the signature of Andrei Shevchenko from Milan, the Feyenoord forward Salomon Kalou, Barcelona's striker Samuel Eto'o, a left-back - believed to be Real Madrid's Brazil international Roberto Carlos - and a centre-half.
The corruption scandal sweeping Italian football, plus falling attendances, may make this the perfect time for Shevchenko to quit the San Siro, but Chelsea have yet to tie up a deal for a player who will be 30 in September.
"Shevchenko is the type of player we would like," said the chief executive, Peter Kenyon. "We have shown our interest in him the last two seasons and had dialogue with Milan.
"(Chelsea) stand a chance (of purchasing Shevchenko) but you don't put it any more than that. There is a long way to go in the summer. It has got to be 50-50 but I wouldn't say any more than that."
With Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, keen to bring world football's biggest stars to his club, the 25-year-old Eto'o is his favoured target and may arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer as a Champions League winner.
Chelsea have already registered a verbal £35-million-plus offer for the Cameroon international, with the bonus that the money would strengthen Barcelona's hand in their attempts to sign Thierry Henry from Arsenal.
Though agreement has been reached with the Dutch club for the signing of the £8-million-rated Kalou, a work permit will be harder to achieve for the Ivorian forward.
He has never played international football because he has been seeking a Dutch passport, which would have permitted him to play for Holland in this summer's World Cup.
It did not materialise but Chelsea sources are confident a solution can be found to complete the transfer either this summer or in January.
Despite reports of a £22 million bid for Corinthians forward Carlos Tevez, Chelsea see him as little more than a back-up option. The Argentinian has yet to convince Chelsea's manager, Jose Mourinho, that his talent justifies the fee being demanded by the Brazilian club.
There will also be a host of departures from Stamford Bridge this summer, with Hernan Crespo certain to leave.
William Gallas has announced his intention to depart and Shaun Wright-Phillips, whose career has stalled since his £21 million transfer from Manchester City last July, and Asier Del Horno are also expected to go.
- Guardian Service
