Crespo trained at Inter's Appiano Gentile complex on Friday morning and Inter denied that there were any negotiations underway with big-spending Chelsea but Italian media insisted a deal was imminent.

Sky Sports also reported that the Italian championship runners-up had representatives in London on Friday negotiating a possible 25.7 million euro (28 million dollar) fee with the free-spending English Premiership title contenders.

The 28-year-old has struck 19 goals in 36 international appearances and more then 100 goals in the Italian championship. He also lifted the UEFA Cup while at Parma in 1999.

Sky suggested a contract could be signed in the next 24 hours.

If it goes ahead Crespo will link up with Romanian forward Adrian Mutu, a 24 million euro (27m dollar) capture from Parma who is set for his Chelsea debut against Leicester at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Roman Abramovich has lavished 74 million pounds (100m dollars) on new signings since buying Chelsea in July.

Should Crespo move to Chelsea he would team up with his compatriot and ex-Lazio team mate Juan Sebastian Veron, one of several big-name signings the club have made since Abramovich took over the London side.

Crespo joined Inter from Lazio just a year ago in a deal in which Inter paid 26 million euros ($28.38 million) plus Italy international striker Bernardo Corradi.

Crespo's exit would be a major surprise for Inter fans who have grown used to their club bringing in big-name players rather then selling them.

Meanwhile, striker Vieri, who himself had been linked with Chelsea, told the daily Gazzetta dello Sport that he would rather Inter released him if they were in the business of selling.

"If the club have to sell Crespo I would prefer they sell me, it would be better if they sold me," said the Italy international.

"What am I doing here, staying at Inter to finish another time in second or third or fourth place? What are we doing? Instead of reinforcing we are weakening.

"Inter sold Ronaldo and in his place bought Crespo and now they are selling him. It is better to sell me, really, once and for all," said Vieri.

"Certain (Inter) directors need to stay far away from me because if I lost it for five minutes I'd have them all nailed to a wall," he added.