Statements from the two clubs, on their official websites, confirmed they had agreed terms for the 28-year-old Frenchman.

Bolton's website confirmed that the cost of the deal was $37million.

Blues boss Avram Grant said after Chelsea's Carling Cup semi-final first leg win over Everton on Tuesday that he hoped to clinch a deal in time for Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham.

Chelsea are without Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, who are away at the African Nations Cup, while Andriy Shevchenko has an ankle injury.

On Thursday, Anelka's advisor Doug Pingisi said the striker was keen on a move to Chelsea.

It is believed a bid in the region of $27million was rejected on Monday.

"He really wants to go to Chelsea," Pingisi said in French daily L'Equipe.

"Nicolas is calm. He hopes that everything will be finalised this week.

"He has been waiting for such an opportunity for years. He appreciates the fact that he is at the top of the list of players wanted by Chelsea at the moment.

"For Nico, it is very important he finds a club that will allow him to express himself at the highest level.

"Moreover, this club is still involved in every competition, particularly the Champions League."

Anelka's first English club was Chelsea's rivals Arsenal, who he signed for in 1997 from Paris St Germain for $1.25million

After moving to Real Madrid and then back to Paris St Germain, he returned to England in 2001, signing on loan at Liverpool. The Anfield side decided not to sign him permanently and he moved to Manchester City a year later.

In 2005 he joined Fenerbahce and 12 months later joined Bolton in a club record $20 million deal.

* BORUSSIA DORTMUND announced their move for Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has broken down with the Germany international opting to remain with the Premier League leaders.

LEICESTER have completed the signing of Derby captain Matt Oakley for an initial $1.2million.

LYON have accepted two offers for wantaway striker Fred including one from PSG, according to Les Gones president Jean-Michel Aulas.

WIGAN have signed Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Deportivo Olimpia.

DERBY have completed the loan signing of Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly and he will be available for their match at home to Wigan.

INTER president Massimo Moratti is confident Atletico Madrid midfielder Maniche will sign for the Serie A leaders in the next few days.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger revealed he was closing in on the signature of talented 15-year-old Gillingham forward Luke Freeman.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafa Benitez has made his first signing of the January transfer window after Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel completed his move from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg.

Iraq midfielder Nashat Akram claims he has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with MANCHESTER CITY.

Brazilian winger Amantino Mancini has no intention to leave ROMA during the January transfer window.

Brazilian giants Corinthians last night blamed CELTIC after the collapse of defender Coelho's move to Parkhead.

WEST BROM midfielder Ronnie Wallwork has joined Coca-Cola Championship rivals SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY until the end of the season.

NORWICH have re-signed Manchester City striker Ched Evans on an emergency loan.

PRESTON chairman Derek Shaw has revealed the club have failed to land New England Revolution striker Taylor Twellman.

NORWICH have released striker David Strihavka and midfielder Julien Brellier, who were both signed in the summer by former boss Peter Grant.

Martin O'Neill has confirmed JUVENTUS' interest in signing Olof Mellberg - but the Aston Villa manager has not given up hope of the defender signing a new contract with the midlands club.

IPSWICH have had a bid for defender Gareth McAuley rejected by Championship rivals LEICESTER.

NOTTS COUNTY have completed the signing of Ali Gibb from HARTLEPOOL on a one-month loan deal.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN are ready to offer striker Stefan Kiessling a new contract.

WALSALL have signed promising DERBY winger Lee Holmes on loan until the end of the season.

CHELTENHAM have signed BRISTOL CITY duo Steve Brooker and Alex Russell on one-month loan deals.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have confirmed they have increased their bid for COVENTRY striker Leon Best. Forest are believed to have had an offer of $1.million rejected earlier this month as manager Ian Dowie attempts to keep the player at the Ricoh Arena.

Defender Andy Griffin has completed his $750,000 move back to Championship high-fliers STOKE from DERBY after passing a medical at the Britannia.

PLYMOUTH midfielder Ryan Dickson has made his temporary move to League One BRENTFORD permanent.

VITESSE ARNHEM have offloaded two players to help ease the club's financial problems. Anders Due is set to join Danish side AaB and central defender Giovanny Espinoza will undergo a medical on Friday at his old club LDU Quito.

Panathinaikos are set to complete a loan swoop for PORTO striker Helder Postiga subject to a medical.

Greek Super League strugglers ERGOTELIS have bolstered their attack with the signing of Clint Mathis. Mathis scored six goals in 26 matches for New York Red Bull in the 2007 MLS season. He also has experience of playing in Europe having been on German Bundesliga outfit Hannover's books during the 2004/05 season, where he netted five goals in 17 games.

Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten is a transfer window target for CELTIC, his agent has stated.

POHANG STEELERS in the K-League have strengthened their squad for the upcoming season with a trio of signings as they prepare a double assault at home and abroad. Duo Kwon Jip and Kim Jung-gyeom have made the switch from K-League rivals Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors along with Jeju United midfielder Kim Jae-sung as the Steelers look to defend their domestic title as well as mount a serious challenge in the AFC Champions League