Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea target Yuri Zhirkov eyes move to England after leading CSKA Moscow to cup glory
Yuri Zhirkov admits he is excited by the prospect of playing in the Barclays Premier League.
Chelsea identified the Russia star as a recruit in January and are widely expected to complete his signing from CSKA Moscow this summer.
Departing Stamford Bridge boss Guus Hiddink, who has confirmed he will continue as a technical consultant to the Blues, watched from the stands Zhirkov helped CSKA to victory over Rubin Kazan in the Russian Cup on Sunday.
And the 25-year-old later admitted he was keen to test himself in England, though reports that he had already signed a four-year deal with Chelsea were premature.
'To play in English Premier League I, of course, would not refuse,' said the speedy left winger. 'But the question of my transfer does not depend on me, but from the directors of the two clubs.
'I can say that I haven't signed a contract with Chelsea and, moreover, I haven't been in contact with anyone from the club.'
Reports in Russia last week said an £18.6m fee had been agreed and Chelsea are certainly ahead of Bayern Munich in the race to sign Zhirkov thanks to the good relationship between owner Roman Abramovich and CSKA.
