MOSCOW, Jan 2 (SW) – Dinamo Moscow midfielder Maniche is hoping to complete a dream move to Chelsea in the January transfer window.

The Portuguese player is set to secure a loan move to the English Champions within the next week, and will team up with boss Jose Mourinho for the third time after playing for him at Benfica and Porto.

"I hope to pass the medical and join up with Chelsea in January - I'm counting the days," said an excited Maniche.

"I have had offers from other big European teams but, obviously, once Chelsea became interested there was only one team.

"I would be crazy to turn them down because of the manager and because I have known some of the players there for years.

"Mourinho is the key to me signing - he has been after me for some time.

"He is my maestro. He knows me from my time at Porto and Benfica.

"My greatest moments in football I owe to him and I hope to repeat this success at Chelsea.

"I have been linked with a move to England in the last few years, now it seems that it is finally going to happen."