Blues close in on £9m striker

Chelsea have agreed to pay Wigan £9m for Victor Moses and will now begin contract negotiations with the English forward.

The Blues have been in extensive talks with the Latics over a deal for the 21-year-old, with Wigan chairmain Dave Whelan having intially said he wouldn't sell the former Crystal Palace youngster for less than £10million. However, with Moses having told Wigan he wants to join Chelsea Whelan appears to have been forced to accept the west London club's £9million offer. Chelsea will now meet with Moses to discuss personal terms and will be confident of completing a deal for the England Under-21 international given his desire to join the European Champions. The Blues are keen to bolster their frontline following Didier Drogba's exit and have so far brought in Marko Marin and Eden Hazard, who are likely to be in direction competition with Moses for a spot in the starting XI.