Monaco striker Fernando Morientes, the top scorer in the Champions League, is set to join Chelsea next season, French sport daily l'Equipe says.

Morientes played for the principality team this season on loan from Real Madrid and was widely expected to return to the Spanish club at the end of his loan spell.

But Morientes was quoted by l'Equipe on Thursday as saying he was about to sign with a club he refused to name, but which the newspaper said could be Chelsea.

"We're getting closer to a solution and we can say we're almost there.

"I like the idea a lot but it could take some time to finalise the deal and, in the meantime, it is very likely that I'll return to Madrid as soon as the season is over," Morientes was quoted as saying.

According to l'Equipe, Morientes has been offered a five-year contract by Chelsea, who are ready to pay 12 million euros (8 million pounds) to buy out the Spanish international's contract from Real.

Morientes, who has scored 11 goals in the Champions League this season, has been recovering from a sprained right ankle but is confident he will be fit to face Porto in the May 26 final.