Chance of a lifetime for Del Horno as Chelsea offer £12.4m to Bilbao

Chelsea target Asier Del Horno has moved closer to a move to the English champions after claiming the money on offer is too good to reject.

The Athletic Bilbao defender has been on Chelsea's target list for some time after coach Jose Mourinho admitted he was in the market for a new left-back.

Now it would appear Chelsea are closing in on a deal with Del Horno saying that the 18million euros (£12.4million) on offer would be too hard for the club to turn down.

Del Horno would triple his current wages by joining Chelsea and told radio Onda Cero: "This is a unique opportunity for me and for Athletic.

"If you look at the figures that are being talked about then it seems unthinkable that a team would pay that sort of money for me. "For both Athletic and me it would be difficult to say no to an offer like this.

"With a contract like this I would sort out not just my life but the life of my whole family.

"Athletic would be able to clear their debts and renew the contracts of players like Tiko, (Fran) Yeste, (Pablo) Orbaiz and (Andoni) Iraola."

Blues boss Jose Mourinho is keen to bolster the left side of his defence with Wayne Bridge struggling with injury, while William Gallas has been forced to fill in at the end of the season.

Spanish international Del Horno is under contract at Bilbao until 2007.