Last Updated: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:47
Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Benfica's Brazilian midfielder Ramires, who could cost as much as £16.8million.
Ramires is yet to return to Portugal following the World Cup but is expected back in the next few days when he will meet with club officials to discuss his future.
Following the release of Joe Cole and Michael Ballack, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen to add some experience to his midfield and sees Ramires as the ideal man to do just that this summer.
However, the deal could be complicated by the fact businessman Kia Joorabchian, who infamously owned Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano when they first joined West Ham, owns a 50 per cent stake in the Brazilian.
The 23-year-old is said to be very keen on a switch to the Premier League and Chelsea will hope to open negotiations with the player, his club and advisors in the coming days.