Werder to seal Klose deal

Bremen have emerged as favourites to land the 25-year-old German international - who had also been linked with Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke - but the club's board were undecided about whether they could raise the necessary cash to lure the player to The Weserstadion.

A clause in his contract allows Klose to leave for ‚é¼5 million, but given his excessive wage demands, Werder would need to put together a financial package deal of around ‚é¼20 million to tie the Polish-born forward to the club until 2008.

With the prospect of earning millions in next season's UEFA Champions League - director of sport Klaus Allofs has now received the green light from the board to finalise the deal.

"We have entered the final round of talks," revealed Allofs.

Thomas Schaaf's in-form side have only lost twice this season and they are sitting comfortably at the top of the Bundesliga, seven points ahead of nearest rivals Bayern Munich on track for what would be their fourth German championship.

Klose will be seen as a direct replacement for top-scorer Ailton - who has already agreed a deal with Schalke for next season.