Chelsea to sign Germany star Ballack

English Premiership champions Chelsea will make Germany captain Michael Ballack the world's highest paid player after winning the battle to sign the midfielder.

English Premiership champions Chelsea will make Germany captain Michael Ballack the world's highest paid player after winning the battle to sign the midfielder.

According to the Daily Mail newspaper, Ballack, 29, will earn 121,000 pounds (177,600 euros, 210,900 dollars) a week at Stamford Bridge once his contract runs out at Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The newspaper said it was understood that Ballack visited London on two separate occasions in January, when he and his agent Michael Becker were impressed by officials from the Premiership leaders, as well as Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

Ballack is available on a free transfer and has been at liberty to talk to other clubs since January after refusing to sign a four-year contract extension at Bayern.

The Mail said Chelsea had agreed to delay an announcement on Ballack's capture for as long as possible for fear of placing the midfielder in a difficult position should they clash with Bayern in the latter stages of the Champions League.

According to the tabloid, Mourinho was understood to have nominated Ballack as a potential recruit rather than David Beckham, the highly marketable England captain and Real Madrid midfielder favoured by Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon.

Ballack is one of German sportswear giant Adidas's most high profile players contracted to wear their products. Chelsea are switching their kit supplier from Umbro to Adidas next season in an eight-year deal worth 100 million pounds.

European giants Juventus, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Inter Milan have all been linked with his signature.

Bayern have not given up hope on persuading Ballack to stay at the Allianz Arena but have been growing frustrated at the delay in his decision.

Ballack joined Bayern from Bayer Leverkusen in a 12.9 million euro (15.3 million dollar) deal in July 2002 after starring in Germany's run to the World Cup final.