Essien announcement on Monday

With Chelsea apparently ready to make a ?20m bid for Lyon midfielder Michael Essien, the Ghanaian's agent says all will become clearer tomorrow.

The London club's previous offer of around ?16.5m was rejected by the French champions over a week ago, but they are unwilling to give up the chase and have reportedly prepared a package that would net 22-year-old Essien ?70,000 a week.

"We'll release a statement on Monday," said the player's agent Fabien Piveteau, refusing to go into any more detail.

Essien is on holiday until July 6, but he is expected to be in Lyon with his agent tomorrow to meet with the club's President Jean-Michel Aulas, giving credence to the idea that a new offer is about to be tabled.

Aulas has repeatedly insisted that the Ligue 1 Player of the Year last season will still be at the Stade Gerland next term, however the momentum appears to be stepping up, with Chelsea chief executive on vacation in the south of France and keen to hold talks.