Chelsea are set to sign Portuguese midfielder Maniche from Dynamo Moscow.
The 28-year-old, who used to play under Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Benfica and Porto, could join on loan initially with the view of a permanent deal worth £5m at the end of the season.
Dynamo sports director Boris Ignatiev confirmed: "Talks with Chelsea are continuing but we’re in the last parts of negotiations."
Maniche has struggled to settle in Russia since making his shock move North six months ago.
His arrival would help ease the burden on Chelsea’s squad by Michael Essien’s departure in January for the African Nations Cup.