Jose Mourinho has told Chelsea's management that the signing of Ghana star Baba Abdul Rahman must be done before the Community Shield is played. 

A club official familiar with the move told Joy Sports on Friday night: "At this point it is definitely not a question of if and as much as it is when," she said.

"Rahman really wants to be at Chelsea but the usual fineprints are what we're looking at. It's about what we can offer, tax components and things like that," the source goes on.

This comes days after a senior Augsburg official had categorically stated that the club will accept nothing but the €20 million they've always been asking for the 21-year old.

CLICK TO READ: Augsburg playing hardball with Chelsea

The source also confirmed Joy Sports' report on July 5 that Roma had initially reached an agreement with the player on a 5-year deal worth €2.2 million a year. 

Also, it has been confirmed that the English Premier League champions could not get the deal because they wanted to offer €1.8 million in annual wages and €15 million to Augsburg.

But with Chelsea facing Arsenal on August 2, the Blues boss wants his team set and good to go as he seeks to defend the Premier League trophy.

To this end, a meeting between Chelsea, Augsburg and Rahman's reps is slated for early next week, "most likely by Tuesday" the source says. 

CLICK HERE TO READ: Rahman agrees Roma agreement

The interest in Baba

The player's rise has been meteoric, as he joined Augsburg from Greuther Fürth only last summer. And a summer before was playing in Ghana.

He has also been the subject of inquiries from Juventus, Internazionale and Atlético Madrid after an impressive season in the Bundesliga.

"You must understand that the gaffer is looking long-term now. Considering his ambition to win the Champions League in two years, he's looking at a solid mix that can withstand the pressures of all competitions," the source explains.

That will explain the dogged interest in the former Dreams FC player to replace the outgoing Filipe Luis, who is set to return to Atletico Madrid for £11 million just a year after moving to Stamford Bridge.

As has been usual throughout these rumours, the player's reps in Ghana have declined comment.

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