CHELSEA NEW FAVOURITES TO LAND SUAREZ

Uruguay star is Stamford Bridge bound

SUAREZ: Chelsea new favourites to sign him

By Adam Marshall, 09/12/2009

CHELSEA have moved into pole position to land Ajax's highly-rated forward Luis Suarez.

The Premier League leaders have made the most of their contacts in Holland by setting up a deal to bring the Uruguay international to Stamford Bridge next year.

Any transfer would be dependent on the London club's appeal against a transfer ban being successful but it is understood that everything is in place with the player and his representatives for the striker to seal a switch to the English capital.

Chelsea are allowed to sign players in January whilst their appeal is pending but Ajax are likely to want to keep the South American until the summer.

Ajax will fight to keep the 22-year-old forward but the lure of playing for Carlo Ancelotti's side is set to prove too strong.

Indeed, Rik van den Boog, the club's CEO, told Voetbal International on Wednesday night: "I just asked Luis about what the papers released today, which spoke of his signature on a pre-contract with Chelsea.

"And he insists he knows nothing.
"Ajax also have no knowledge of anything."

Manchester United and Tottenham have previously been linked with Suarez but Chelsea's move appears to have been a decisive one, despite the expect denial from the Amsterdam ArenA.

Ancelotti has stressed he does not necessarily need reinforcements in January despite losing players to the African Cup of Nations but the Blues have been tracking some of the world's top talent since the season got underway.