Duff, whojoined Chelsea from Blackburn Rovers in 2003 for $ 31,5 millions, has been a prominent figure in The Blue's Premiership winning campaign before an injury streak forced him to lose his place in the team to Joe Cole and Arjen Robben.

"I like Damien as a player and a person, however he's a player I'm happy to keep but not desperate to keep," Mourinho was quoted as saying by Sky Sports Network on Thursday.

"I listened to him for a couple of hours and I understand what is going through his mind."

Duff have asked Mourinho to leave the club as the 27-year-old's chances of first team football look very slim next season following the club's acquisition of Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou.

"It's not true that Duff didn’t play much last season, he played two more games than the seasons before and was injured."

"But I've no courage to keep a player that I can't promise he'll play 75% of the games," Mourinho added

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to step up a bid to land the Irish international left winger.