CHELSEA CLOSE IN ON MALOUDA

Chelsea's preparations for the new season have continued to take shape with the appointment of Avram Grant as director of football and a fee being agreed for France midfielder Florent Malouda.

Grant, who was technical director at Portsmouth, will fly with the squad for the pre-season tour to Los Angeles on Monday, with Malouda meeting up with the team when a medical is completed and personal terms are agreed.

"Chelsea can confirm it has agreed a fee with Olympique Lyonnais for the transfer of Florent Malouda," read a statement from Chelsea.

The fee is undisclosed but Malouda has been valued at upwards of £13million in the French media since impressing for his country at the World Cup last year and featuring in the Champions League for Lyon.

Malouda will join Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizarro and Tal Ben Haim as Chelsea's first-team summer signings, with Alex expected to arrive from PSV Eindhoven.

Behind the scenes, former Israel boss Grant will be working closely with Jose Mourinho, the club confirmed, as well as chief executive Peter Kenyon and Frank Arnesen, who oversees youth development.

As a widely reported friend of owner Roman Abramovich, Grant's arrival had been expected following his year at Fratton Park.

"Grant will be responsible for liaison on, and co-ordination of, football matters across the various areas of Chelsea," read a statement from Chelsea.

"He will also sit on the football club board and report to chief executive Peter Kenyon."

Kenyon stated earlier in the week that Malouda's arrival would not compromise the position at Stamford Bridge of Arjen Robben.

Malouda, 27, is expected to be Chelsea's highest-profile signing of the summer as Mourinho plots a way to win back the Barclays Premier League title from Manchester United.

There are also hopes of Frank Lampard and John Terry committing their long-term futures to the club by signing new contracts.

Michael Ballack, meanwhile, will not be with the squad for the first week of the America trip as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery last week.

"A decision will be taken later, depending on progress, about whether he will join the squad for the latter part of the tour," said the club in a statement.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed after Lyon's friendly with Lille that an agreement had been reached.

"It (the deal) is brilliant and it is good news for Flo," Aulas told OLTV, the French champions own television station.

"I have just called him. He is going to leave here tonight and have a medical in London on Monday.

A statement on Lyon's official website, www.olweb.fr, added: "The transfer will only be made official after confirmation from the medical."

Taken From =football365=