The Independent reported, without naming its source, that the 2008 Russian Premier League top scorer and Player of the Year could move to Chelsea after the winter transfer window opens on January 1.
Abramovich is friends with the CSKA president, Yevgeny Giner, and his former oil company sponsored the ex-Red Army team when they lifted the UEFA Cup in 2005.
However, despite these ties, CSKA may not agree to loan out the 24-year-old player, and could insist that Chelsea buy Love outright. The Moscow club turned a loan offer for Love from Everton last summer, reportedly saying they wanted at least $20 million for the striker.
Love has been at CSKA since 2004. He scored 20 goals in 26 appearances in this season's Russian Premier League as CSKA took second place, striking up a lethal partnership with young Russian forward Alan Dzagoyev. He is also the 2008/09 UEFA Cup joint top scorer with five goals and may well be the answer to Chelsea's recent lack of firepower.
During his time at the former Red Army club, Love has won two Russian Premier League titles, and in 2005 helped the team become the first Russian side to win a European trophy, scoring the third goal as CSKA defeated Sporting Lisbon 3-1 in the UEFA Cup final. He has also been called up for the national side, scoring five goals in 21 games.
Love, real name Vagner Silva de Souza, reportedly got his nickname after being found with a girl in his room at the team hotel when he was playing for the Brazilian side Palmeiras.
The Russian season runs from March to November, and CSKA play their final match of 2008 on Thursday evening, a UEFA Cup away tie against the French club Nancy.
