Crespo on his way out

Hernan Crespo's Chelsea career looks to be over after the Argentinian striker failed to turn up for a pre-season breakfast meeting today with new head coach Jose Mourinho.

Crespo joined Chelsea at the start of last season, but the new Portugese head coach said he had not heard from him or his agent.

"Crespo was not there (and) until now I have not heard from him," Mourinho said today.

The Argentinian striker has not settled in London following his £16million move from Inter Milan last summer and is expected to join rivals AC Milan on a season's loan.

Crespo has reportedly pleaded with AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti to take him back to Serie A.

Ancelotti was Crespo's mentor when he first moved to Italy, with Parma in 1996, and the former Lazio player would jump at the chance to link up with "Carletto" again.

"Everyone knows that I would be really happy to play under Ancelotti again," Crespo said: "We will see what happens, but I will say one thing: changing clubs during pre-season has been my destiny over the last two years.

"In 2002, I began pre-season with Lazio and was sold to Inter, and the following year I began pre-season with Inter and was sold to Chelsea."

The signing of PSV Eindhoven striker Mateja Kezman is the signal that Crespo will be allowed to leave.

Mourinho, who replaced Claudio Ranieri at Chelsea last month, said players' attitudes were important in making his transfer plans.

He had spoken to Romanian Adrian Mutu who said he was keen to stay.

"A player's desire is crucial", Mourinho said.

Mourinho, who is taking Chelsea on a pre-season tour to the United States later this month, said he wanted a squad of about 24 players, but he dismissed media reports that Chelsea were about to sign Tottenham target and Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids from Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are expecting to close a deal with Porto to sign Portugal midfielder Deco - who had been linked with Chelsea - this week, according to club president Joan Laporta.

"We only have to tie up the final details of the agreement," Laporta said.

"I'm quite optimistic and believe that Deco will end up becoming a Barcelona player."

The Spanish sports press said Barca were prepared to pay Porto just over £8m plus Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma in exchange for the Brazilian-born 26-year-old.