MUNICH, Germany (AFP) -- Not content with having one of the largest squads in Europe, English champions Chelsea want to add another top-class midfielder to their ranks by capturing German international captain Michael Ballack.

Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho revealed Monday that Chelsea are waiting for Ballack, currently at Bayern Munich, to decide whether he wants to move to Stamford Bridge next season.

"Ballack is worth at least 25 million pounds (45 million dollars) and I want him," Mourinho said in an interview with Bild newspaper. "He said he needs time before making a decision. I respect that and now it is up to him."

Chelsea, bankrolled by billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, are not afraid to pay out huge transfer fees but it is just a big wage package they require this time with Ballack out of contract at the end of the season.

Chelsea are reportedly ready to make the 29-year-old Ballack the world's highest-paid player with a weekly salary of 121,000 pounds (177,600 euros, 210,900 dollars).

Ballack guarantees goals, as his record of 29 goals in 62 German internationals proves, and Chelsea certainly lacked a cutting edge in their recent last 16 Champions League exit to Barcelona. Ballack's aerial threat and ruthless finishing would certainly benefit Chelsea but where does Mourinho plan to play him?

Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Maniche, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Arjen Robben, Geremi Damien Duff, Claude Makelele, Michael Essien and Shaun Wright-Phillips are already competing for the midfield berths.

Mourinho indicated that the German midfielder would fit into the Chelsea system and even play alongside England's attacking international midfielder Lampard.

"Ballack is very fit and scores a lot of goals. In Europe I only know Lampard and Ballack who play at this level," Mourinho declared. "Together they would be the dream pairing in Europe."

But Ballack has to think whether he wants to leave a cemented spot in Bayern's midfield and gamble on winning a place in Chelsea's star-studded lineup.

England international Wright-Phillips left Manchester City with the same hope and is now just a fringe player. Would Germany's finest player risk a similar role?

Real Madrid and Inter Milan were two other options but constant managerial changes are said to have put Ballack off Madrid, while Inter baulked at the 'exorbitant' wage demands.

That leaves Chelsea or Bayern.

Adapting to the physical nature of the English Premiership would certainly test Ballack, technically adept but not the most robust player, although Mourinho may choose to use him behind a main striker rather than in the muscular midfield area.

Bayern, who shelled out 12.9 million pounds (23.2 million dollars) to bring Ballack from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2002, were dismayed when the German international turned down a four-year extension and appear resigned to watching the player in the blue of Chelsea next season.

"I am sure that by now he is joining Chelsea," said Bayern vice-chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "There is not much chance he'll stay. The reasons are not of an economic nature, but in his desire to have new experiences."

Ballack turned down Real Madrid in the summer of 2002, claiming he was not ready to move abroad, and is unlikely to pass up the opportunity in 2006.