Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is confident of signing midfielder Florent Malouda from Lyon.
The two clubs have yet to agree a fee for the 27-year-old, with the French club wanting at least £13.5m.
Malouda's agent Phillipe Flavier told BBC Sport: "At this moment everybody is waiting."
And Kenyon told BBC Five Live: "We've been in dialogue with Lyon and it would be nice to conclude deal that before going to Los Angeles next week."
Kenyon is adamant that the arrival of Malouda would not result in other players leaving the club.
"I think Chelsea and Lyon will find an agreement"
Arjen Robben has been strongly linked with Real Madrid but Kenyon added: "We shouldn't read anything into that. Malouda's a different type of player.
"I'm very optimistic Malouda will be joining us at some point out in LA."
Lyon claim that Chelsea have yet to meet their asking price - but BBC Sport understands further talks will take place later this week.
"The club recalls that they accepted the request of the player to look at opportunities to move, declaring from the start that the transfer fee should be between 20 and 25m euro (£13.5-£16.8m)," said a Lyon statement.
"At the moment, no offer at this level has been made to Lyon.
"Nevertheless, the club stay loyal to the promise made to the player and are therefore prepared to look at all offers that have been made."
Malouda left Lyon's pre-season training camp on Wednesday.
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Chelsea begin their pre-season preparations on 10 July in Los Angeles - and Malouda is keen to be a Blues player by then.
Flavier added: "I think the two clubs will find an agreement but I don't know when.
"The player hopes it will be as soon as possible."
If he does move to Chelsea, Malouda will link up again with Didier Drogba, with whom he enjoyed success at Guingamp in 2002-03, and Michael Essien.
Chelsea have signed Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim so far this summer - all on free transfers.
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