Chelsea believe they have beaten their former manager Jose Mourinho to the £12million signature of FC Twente striker Marko Arnautovic.
The Inter Milan boss had a bid of around £10million for Arnautovic turned down by Twente president Joop Munsterman over the weekend and was told to come back with at least another £2million.
While Mourinho conferred with his San Siro chiefs, Chelsea moved in with a £12million offer and were given permission to open talks with the Austria frontrunner over personal terms.
Arnautovic confirmed he was ready for a fresh challenge, after helping Steve McClaren's side clinch runners-up spot in the Eredivisie, and said: 'I am only interested in joining one of the big clubs, who are not just in the Champions' League but capable of going a long way in it next season.'
Fulham monitored the 20-year-old's form for much of last season, but were forced to accept they had little chance of signing him, while Liverpool and Manchester United have also kept tabs on his progress.
Chelsea's sporting director Frank Arnesen has played a key role in convincing Arnautovic that his future lies in the Barclays Premier League, and a deal looks like being completed in the next few weeks.
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Didier Drogba
