Ballack deal increases Chelsea talk

The possibility of Michael Ballack securing a summer move to Chelsea increased this week after the German star signed a bumper new deal with sportswear giants adidas.

The German star is in the final weeks of his contract at Bayern Munich and has snubbed numerous new offers from the German champions.

With Ballack almost certain to head out of the Allianz Arena in the summer, his stature in the game marks him down as one of the most highly-prized Bosmans ever to come on the market.

The likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the goalscoring midfielder.

Chelsea, though, have long been thought to be at the head of the chase and the player's move to extend his personal deal with adidas has increased the possibility of him moving to Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are under the adidas banner, but Chelsea will wear adidas-manufactured shirts from July 1.

The German press are convinced Ballack will pitch up in West London and his agent hardly watered down the talk.

"That is a logical conclusion," Ballack's agent Michael Becker said in response to questions that the German would be pulling on an adidas shirt next term.

With Bayern seemingly resigned to Ballack's exit and Real Madrid unlikely to contest his signing, Chelsea would appear to be in pole position.