AC Milan clear Shevchenko for Chelsea talks

LONDON, May 31: Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko has been given permission by AC Milan to travel to London for talks with Chelsea, the English champions said.

''Chelsea...can confirm that Andriy Shevchenko has been given permission by AC Milan to travel to London. An agreement between all parties is still pending,'' Chelsea said in a statement on their website.

Sky Sports television said the former European footballer of the year was expected at Stamford Bridge later today for a medical.

Newspapers reported that Shevchenko had agreed personal terms and was expected to sign for a British record transfer fee well in excess of 30 million pounds (56.36 million dollars).

The British transfer record is the 28.25 million pounds that Manchester United paid Leeds United for defender Rio Ferdinand in 2002.

Shevchenko, 29, said last week that he was leaving Milan for family reasons and is expected to become Chelsea's second big name signing of the close season after the arrival of Germany skipper Michael Ballack from Bayern Munich.

The club also signed Feyenoord striker Salomon Kalou yesterday.

REUTERS