Premier International Sports News

Chelsea have confirmed that they have agreed terms to sign Barcelona defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu.

The 19-year-old is he is currently on Under-20 World Cup duty with Spain but he is now due in West London to undergo a medical and finalise a £5m move.

Romeu made two appearances for Barcas first-team last season but they have agreed to his sale after Andre Villas-Boas made his move.

“I don’t want to speak too much about him because he is not our player,” said Chelsea boss Villas-Boas.

“It is a part of the squad in which we are struggling with numbers because of Michael Essien’s injury and Oriol is a player with a bright future. He still has to evolve as a player.

“The Barcelona B team had a magnificent year in the Spanish second division, they finished third. Oriol had an injury during the season but he came back late on and was in time to play for the first team.

“So he is one of the most promising young players in that position and hopefully we can agree personal terms and hopefully he will pass a medical.”

Meanwhile, Villas-Boas insisted that a deal to send new goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – who is arriving from Genk – on loan to Atletico Madrid was not yet complete.

“It is also a question of time and of deciding where we think it is better for him to evolve as a player, in Spain or in another country,’ the manager reported.

“The Spanish League is an extremely competitive league and Atletico is a great club to be at but it is not decided yet on his future.

“It is still a couple of days until we can confirm agreement between all three parties.”

Samir Nasri is still hopeful of joining Manchester City this summer and has told friends he has no intention of signing a new contract at Arsenal, according to the Daily Express.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has previously stated that he wanted to keep Nasri, despite the fact he entering the final 12 months left of his current deal.

But Wenger last night admitted he is now not so sure whether the France midfielder would stay.

It is not completely sorted that Samir will stay, but I want him to stay, said Wenger. He knows that. Hopefully we can sort that out in the coming weeks.

Nasri believes City will offer him potential wages of £150,000 a week, whilst Wenger wants to tie him to Arsenal with a new £110,000-a-week deal.

But the 24-year-old has no plans to sign a new deal with the Gunners and has made up his mind to leave whether now or on a free transfer next year.

According to sources close to Nasri grew frustrated with Arsenal when he was assured in October that a verbal contract offer would be immediately put into writing but the club then took months to get back to him.

Despite the fact he is now convinced he will leave, Nasri travelled to Germany with the rest of the squad for todays friendly against Cologne.

Didier Drogba has revealed that he has begun discussions with Chelsea over a new contract.

The 33-year-old has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, with Tottenham, Marseille and AC Milan all credited with an interest

But the Ivorian superstar is keen to stay in West London and he is ready to sign a contract extension as he enters the last 12 months of his current deal.

The new two-year deal would tie him to the club until 2013 and Drogba is hopeful that talks will soon be concluded.

“We’ve started talking and it’s very interesting. Everybody knows what I feel about Chelsea and what I want,” he said.

“I will definitely be here next season. I said a few years ago that I will be here until the end of my contract, and I am here.

“Now I need to keep playing well here and giving my best, like I always try to do.

“This will be my eighth season at this club and it means a lot for any striker to stay that long at Chelsea.”

For the first time in his Chelsea career Drogba admits he will not be assured of a first-team place this season and is set to compete with 50million striker Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge for a starting berth..

“Yes, I think we are [contending for one place],” added Drogba, who has been the Blues’ most effective player in the lone-striker’s role during his seven years in West London.

“That’s the manager’s choice, but it’s been like this for me for all my years at this club.

“It was the same when Eidur Gudjohnsen was here, when [Andriy] Shevchenko was here, and all of the other times.

“I’m 33, I’m the oldest player and, even if that feels strange, I’m not worried.

“If I deserve to play then I will play. If I’m not good then I won’t. It’s good for the team to have some competition.”