Chelsea to finalize Essien deal

The longest running transfer saga this season should hopefully end today as Ghana?s Michael Essien is in London to sign a deal after passing a Chelsea medical on Tuesday.

The Black Stars midfielder underwent a medical in Paris at the French Football Federation headquarters.

Michael Essien would finalize his club-record ?25m transfer to Chelsea from Lyon this week when he meets up with his new employers and colleagues.

Chelsea had been frustrated on Monday, as the documents dealing with its financial formalities were not returned, though they had been faxed to Essien?s former club, Lyon.

But it has emerged that the delay was as a result of August 15 being a public holiday in France and Lyon had given their entire staff the day off.

The Blues are understood to be close to completing the relevant legal paperwork on the drawn-out deal, and Essien could be a Chelsea player in time to feature in Sunday's eagerly-awaited Barclays Premiership clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.