Chief executive Peter Kenyon and chief scout Frank Arnesen have held separate meetings with the Bolton player's representatives ahead of an expected £15million transfer.

"It's Anelka or bust for us," a Chelsea source told the Observer. "Avram Grant is not interested in anyone else. There are some young players coming through, but they're not ready yet. And with John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien also in Ghana, if we don't sign Anelka its going to be a struggle."