News just arriving in The Transfer Tavern that the Daily Mail, say Chelsea are closing in on the “signing” of Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow after Blues owner Roman Abramovich had “a quite word”.

The paper claims that Abramovich is said “to have personally intervened” to persuade Russian International Zhirkov “that his future” is at the Premier League club.

It is said that 25-year-old Zhirkov had “stung his suitors” after making “indiscreet comments” claiming that he “would prefer” to play for his favourite side as a boy, Barcelona and that the versatile left-sided Russian “would not be happy” to be warming the bench for either side.

Chelsea are believed to have “been close” to signing the Russian, however, Barca have also “targeted” Zhirkov to “vie with Eric Abidal” for the left-back berth at the Nou Camp.

The Daily Mail, saying that Zhirkov is “likely to be deployed further forward” at the Premiership side, but the “resurgence” of Florent Malouda at Chelsea “may not” guarantee the Russian “the star billing” that he wants at the West London club.

Zhirkov “would cost” anywhere between “£15million and £20million”, with the paper stating that “reports in Russia” are suggesting that a deal is “close” and that the Premier League will be the next “destination” for the winger.

Abramovich is said to “have close links” with CSKA due to a “huge sponsor deal” with his former club “Sibneft” and “spoke to Zhirkov” after Russia’s World Cup qualifier against Finland on Wednesday.

It “suggested” that Zhirkov’s last match for CSKA, will be against local rivals FC Moscow “before a transfer is agreed” to take the winger to Stamford Bridge.

The paper concluding that “although” Zhirkov” stated he would “prefer” a switch to the Blaugrana he “did not rule out” a transfer to the Blues, which the Russian called a “dream for anyone”.

What has been sipped at the Daily Mail to start this one? Has Roman really used his Kremlin connections to secure the capture of Zhirkov? Should this rumour Fly or Die?