Just got back behind the bar at The Transfer Tavern, when another guy from the Daily Mail starts telling people that Russian International Yuri Zhirkov “flew into London” last night to “finalise his £18million” switch to Chelsea from CSKA Moscow.

The Sportsmail reporter claiming that 25-year-old Zhirkov is “due a medical” before “signing an £80,000-a-week” contract at Stamford Bridge until “2010”, with an “option” of a fourth-year in the deal.

It said Sportsmail “revealed in January” that the winger “dubbed the ‘Russian Ronaldinho was destined” for the Premier League club. It claimed that “after signing” for the Blues, Zhirkov is expected “to return” home to Moscow.

“I always dreamed of playing in a top club. It would have been inexcusable to let this opportunity pass,” Zhirkov is quoted as saying at the airport.

Zhirkov now Chelsea manager’s Carlo Ancelotti “third new recruit” at the West London side “will be expected” to join the Blues on a “pre-season tour” in America on July18th.

So was it water, wine or whisky being guzzled to spout this tale? Is the ‘Russian Ronaldinho’ really about to complete an £18million move to Chelsea? Should this rumour Fly or Die?

Get the full low-down on Yuri Zhirkov>>