Chelsea are bracing themselves for a £25million bid from AC Milan for midfield general Michael Essien.

The Blues are currently gearing up for a must-win clash against Manchester United on Sunday, while Milan, who are all but assured of being crowned Italian league champions, are already beginning preparations for next season.

Both sides are looking to ship out ageing stars in the summer to make way for fresh faces, with Milan in particular keen to find replacements for Gennaro Gattuso (33), Clarence Seedorf (35), Andrea Pirlo, and Massimo Ambrosini (32 and 34 this month respectively).

And while Chelsea are expected to make a similar level of cuts, Essien’s name will not be one that Carlo Ancelotti was planning on parting with, despite the Ghanaian’s under-par season.

But Italian reports claim Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri has identified the 28-year-old as the man required to add the necessary steel to his side, and is prepared to test Chelsea’s resolve to hang on to their midfield dynamo.

Essien’s Ghana team-mate Kevin Prince Boateng, who is currently playing at the San Siro, is said to have already been in touch with his countryman to try and persuade him to make the switch to Italy.