Chelsea's chances of securing the Holland full-back Gregory van der Wiel from Ajax this summer appear to have been enhanced after reports in Germany that Bayern Munich, the defender's other principal suitor, have dropped their interest.
Van der Wiel, 23, has long featured on the Chelsea wish-list as they look to revitalise their squad following the January purchases of Fernando Torres and David Luiz. The Dutchman's arrival would cast doubt over the futures of Paulo Ferreira and José Bosingwa – the latter will be entering the final 12 months of his contract – though the club had anticipated moving some senior players on anyway.
Ajax anticipate losing Van der Wiel, who featured in five of Holland's games at the 2010 World Cup, including the final. The defender, whose contract in Amsterdam runs to the summer of 2013, is likely to command a fee of around £9m.
The player is apparently excited at the prospect of moving on. "I've never left Amsterdam and I don't know what life is like elsewhere," he said in an interview with fifa.com. "It would be a huge challenge [to move] but it ought to work out well – I'm sure of that. I want to win trophies, keep progressing and play at the very highest level."
Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, should have a fully fit squad from which to pick for Saturday's match against Tottenham Hotspur as they seek to prolong their unlikely attempt to retain the title. Ashley Cole, who has been troubled with an ankle complaint, trained as normal at Cobham on Wednesday and Alex returned after missing the past two matches with a hamstring complaint.
The midfielders Ramires (hamstring) and Michael Essien (tendon above the left knee) did not take part and will continue to be assessed but Ancelotti will hope to have both available as he seeks to cut Manchester United's lead to three points, albeit potentially for only 24 hours.