CHARLTON are losing the fight to keep midfielder Alexei Smertin after Dinamo Moscow offered him what he described as the "move of his dreams".

Although Charlton signed a season-long loan agreement with Chelsea, they face the prospect of losing a second cog from their midfield inside a month following Danny Murphy’s departure to Tottenham.

Because of transfer speculation, manager Alan Curbishley excluded the 29-year-old Russia captain from the goalless draw at Liverpool.

He said: "What’s happened with Smertin is that Chelsea have had an approach from a Russian club. The transfer window is not closed for them. So I felt that is wasn’t right that he played for us against Liverpool.

"He’s a Chelsea player who is on loan with us until the end of the season, so it’s complicated. Wiser men than me are trying to sort it out.

"If he leaves us then I’ll be really disappointed because it’s something we never expected. If he stays, then I’ll be delighted. But he is a Chelsea player."

Fellow Russian and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is thought to have become personally involved in the transfer.

Smertin created an instant impact following his arrival from Stamford Bridge in the summer and supporters would be alarmed by the loss of a second big-name player.

He said: "Me and my agent had talks with Dinamo and there is provisional agreement between Chelsea, Charlton and Dinamo concerning my move to the Moscow club. I’m going to Moscow to sign a contract.

"I hope the formalities will be settled and I will play in a Russian Cup game on March 13."