Ghana and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will join a top European club as he is on the verge of leaving the English Premier League side next winter, the player's agent Fabien Piveteau claimed on Monday.

"In fact, Essien could leave Chelsea this winter," Piveteau was quoted as saying on Ghanasoccernet.

"Several major European clubs playing in the Champions League have bid for him and a decision will be made within the next ten days," he added.

The 30-year-old influential midfielder had been dropped from Chelsea's Champions League squad last August after failing to meet Mourinho's expectations.

"You should know that Michael was not on the list of players, who can play in the European Cup with Chelsea, so it is free to play in the Champions League with another club," Essien's agent said.

Essien's agent has rubbished reports that the Ghana star will join one of French clubs as Bastia and Sochaux have all slapped in offers to sign him.

"We need to stop with all that. Michael cannot play for Chelsea, a big club, and then return to France. Do not even dream about it," Essien's agent said.

"In France, if Essien cannot play for Paris or Lyon then for Bastia and Sochaux, no disrespect but I say no to that," the agent concluded.

Essien hit top form in Ghana's recent World Cup qualifying matches, helping the Black Stars defeat Egypt 7-3 on aggregate and secure the team's place in Brazil in 2014.

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