Chelsea have reportedly moved a step closer to completing a deal to sign Wigan Athletic winger Victor Moses.

The Champions League winners have been repeatedly linked with a move for Moses this summer but their approaches have until now been quickly rejected by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan.

Whelan told ESPN: "We would much prefer the player to sign a new contract and stay but he wants to go to Chelsea and it's a good club so we cannot stand in his way."

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gouraly has contacted Whelan in an attempt to complete the transfer before the beginning of the Premier League season.

The club are now believed to be preparing an £8.5m bid to match Wigan's valuation for Moses.