Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has told Chelsea to fork out £32m or leave the bidding table.
Chelsea sought to buy Steven Gerrard for £32m in the summer and Aulas wants that cash.
Chelsea will up their bid of £14m to probably around £20m today but will settle for shelling out £25m for the talented midfielder.
Lyon will accept £25m as they see one of their most valuable assets losing value in the transfer market if he does not move this season.
Essien is contracted to Lyon until 2008, but he has made it clear he wants to join moneybags Chelsea to improve his footballing career.