Zhirkov close to Blues exit

The Portuguese had just seen his side claim a 3-1 friendly win over Rangers at Ibrox, and was pressed on Zhirkov's future at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "Yury is in between reaching a full agreement, between club and player, with Anzhi and in the end it was mostly his decision. It is a great financial offer for him, it is a return home and I think he has decided to part company. But still the deal isn't done yet."

Asked about the possibility of making another bid for Tottenham's Luka Modric, he replied: "I have been answering a lot about it and I won't make any further comment."

Villas-Boas was more lucid about his interest in Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea have been monitoring Lukaku for some time and the Blues reportedly had an ?£18million offer turned down for the player last month.

He said: "He is a very interesting young prospect and the situation is now that we have to position ourselves to maybe get this kind of talent.

"So I would say that anything can happen."

Source: PA

Source: PA