Premiership leaders Chelsea are moving closer to sign Bayern Munich star Michael Ballack, according to his agent, Michael Becker.

"Nothing has been signed, but there will be ongoing contact with Chelsea. There is strong interest from both sides," Becker told BBC Sport on Thursday.

"The trend is in this direction (to move to Chelsea)," he added.

The Germany skipper’s agent indicated that Ballack had shown interest in moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid, but insisted that the team’s instability was the key factor that drove them to reconsider their options, especially after club president Florentino Perez stepped down earlier this week.

"Michael had initially been very keen on Real Madrid. But the leadership changes there in the last few months mean we don't know what's happening.

"There has been a change in the whole set-up at Real and we don't know where we stand - it's very confusing," Becker said.

The 29-year-old midfielder was also linked to a move with Italian powerhouse Inter Milan, but Becker played down the rumours.

"Michael will continue his career with a side that will win the Champions League," Becker said.

"He definitely will not go to Inter Milan. He would only move to a club where he has a better chance of winning the Champions League than at Bayern. Inter are currently third in Serie A, whereas Bayern are top in the German league," he added.

Ballack will become a free agent after his contract with the German champions expires in the summer.