Frank Lampard is expected to be handed a three-year deal worth £12million to become Chelsea’s new manager.
The Blues legend is closing in on an emotional return to the club where he spent 13 years and made 648 appearances, winning 11 trophies.
His current employers Derby finally gave Chelsea official permission to approach Lampard on Tuesday.
Talks on a deal worth around £4m-a-year are expected to go smoothly, with the former midfielder set to get at least one season - barring any major difficulties - to prove himself.
It's anticipated Lampard, 41, will appoint former Blues academy boss Jody Morris as his assistant after the pair worked together this past season to get the Championship club to the play-off final in his first year in management.
The pair would face a tough task at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea operating under a two-window transfer ban, although that obstacle could see them given leeway with the club looking to ensure stabilty.
Lampard is part of a major shake-up following the departure of manager Maurizio Sarri to Juventus after just one season. Former keeper Petr Cech has returned to the club as technical and performance advisor after retiring as a player last month.
A number of Sarri’s backroom staff are also leaving, while ex-Blues midfielder Claude Makalele - a key member of their first Premier League-winning team - is another familiar face expected to return as part of the new-look coaching staff.
One of Lampard’s former team-mates at Manchester City, Vincent Kompany, has added his voice to the many leading figures giving their seal of approval to the potential appointment.
Kompany, now player-manager at Belgian club Anderlecht, worked with the Englishman at the Etihad during the 2014-15 campaign.
He said on Tuesday: “Sign him up. He's the man. I learnt so much from him. He was a bit older when he joined Man City. Frank was an incredible professional, he stepped the level up for everyone else, and I'm trying to have the same impact as an older player.
“The match is natural with Chelsea. I completely support him.”
Earlier this month, another of Lampard’s former colleagues, ex-West Ham and England defender Rio Ferdinand, also backed the idea of him replacing Sarri.
Ferdinand said: “I will actually be surprised if they look elsewhere — he is the perfect choice.
“People talk about experience but what experience did Pep Guardiola have when he went into Barcelona first team? He trained the kids. Frank knows Chelsea, knows the players and the players will respect him. I don’t think he would be fazed by big personalities in that changing room.”
