The Mail on Sunday says Hiddink has moved a step closer towards being added to the staff next summer or sooner, if Roman Abramovich can negotiate a tricky political situation in Russia, where he helps to bankroll the Dutchman's contract to coach the national team. However, the Dutchman's arrival will not threaten Avram Grant's position.
Hiddink, who met Abramovich while the Russia team were in London to play England, said yesterday: "We had a good meeting in London. I won't go into details. He has a very clear vision on the future and development of football.
"The Chelsea situation is something I won't touch right now. I am concentrating on the Russian national team. We have to qualify and I know Roman finds that very important, too, at this moment."
The Dutchman will not be able to help Chelsea until at least November, when qualifying for the European Championship ends.
Hiddink revealed the meeting in his Dutch newspaper column last weekend, writing: "Roman Abramovich and I met again around the England match. We had good talks and discussions. I always get on well with Roman, but I am not going to give away all the details from that meeting. However, one or two things will become clear in the near future and I will be able to talk about it then."
Hiddink has also pointedly moved recently to quash the perception that he could not work alongside Arnesen at Chelsea, because of their professional differences at PSV Eindhoven.
Hiddink said: "I have never had a personal problem with Frank Arnesen. Our relationship was good and it is still good. I could work with him again.
"There was a point when it was a strange situation at PSV. I was responsible for the results of the team but I did not have enough input and authority when it came to buying and selling players."