ESSIEN SET TO JOIN AC MILAN

AC Milan have revealed that Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is expected to land in Italy on Friday evening to complete a move to the Serie A club.Essien, desperate for first-team football ahead of the World Cup finals, is wanted by new Milan coach Clarence Seedorf to strengthen his midfield in the second half of the season. He would also be eligible to play for the Serie A side in the Champions League having not been named in the Blues' squad last August.Milan want Essien on loan for the remainder of the current campaign, and given his lack of chances under Jose Mourinho this season -- the 31-year-old has made only two starts in the Premier League -- removing him from the wage bill could be an attractive option.The Italian club confirmed the news that Essien is expected in Milan on Friday evening via a statement released on their official website.According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the player's agent, Fabien Piveteau, was in Milan for talks on Thursday and the Ghana international has already agreed personal terms with the Rossoneri."Milan have to first speak with Chelsea and they have to decide what they want to do with Essien," Piveteau told Spazio Milan last weekend. "We have not yet opened any direct talks with AC Milan but this does not mean he cannot move to Italy. Clearly this is a great opportunity for my player."Mourinho confirmed earlier on Friday that Essien could be on his way out of the club, with a decision resting on the player himself.“Michael Essien is, in this moment, in a position where he can go or he can stay,” he said. “If he stays we're more than happy he stays -- fantastic club man and fantastic team player. If he stays we're more than happy.“But he's another player who gave everything to this club and, if a great situation for him arrives, for his future or to give him a chance to go to the World Cup with more years of contract and a career at the high level, the same way Chelsea let him go to Madrid when I was there... if something big comes along, he's another one we feel we must show respect and not stop him go. But if he stays, he stays. And if he stays he's playing.”Galatasaray have also shown interest and, as Piveteau revealed at the end of December, Essien is keen on playing in the Champions League knockout stages. Napoli, who have dropped down to the Europa League, are also said to be monitoring Essien, whose contract expires at the end of the season.