Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko was given permission to start talks on a move from Italian Serie AAC Milan to English Premiership champions Chelsea.

Shevchenko was expected at Stamford Bridge for talks on personal terms while Chelsea said they had still to finalise terms for a transfer expected to cost club owner Roman Abramovich in excess of 30 million pounds (42 million euros).

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Andriy Shevchenko has been given permission by AC Milan to travel to London," a statement on the club's website said, adding: "An agreement between all parties is still pending."

Shevchenko scored 173 goals in seven years at Milan.

He said last week that he would like to move to London for family reasons, so that his young son can learn English, the language of his American wife.

Thus, Shevchenko is expected to become Chelsea's third signing of the summer following Germany captain Michael Ballack, on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, and Salomon Kalou, who has come from Dutch club Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee.

Editor: Donald