Champions League winners Porto coach Jose Mourinho took a firm step towards Chelsea on Thursday when he mentioned the English Premiership side for the first time.
”I would really like to accept Chelsea’s invitation,” he told cable channel Sport TV.
”It’s going to be decided in the next few days when I have told Porto’s management of my intentions … and the two clubs have talked.”
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is keen for the 41-year-old coach, one-time assistant to Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson at Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona, to replace Claudio Ranieri.
Last month Porto president Nuno Pinto da Costa warned Abramovich he would go to war over the move.
Porto accused Chelsea of illegally approaching Mourinho about the prospect of taking over from Ranieri.
But last week the Porguguese press announced that Porto has lined up Luigi del Neri as his successor.
Del Neri, currently coach of Italian side Chievo Verona, is expected to be named this week. — Sapa-AFP