THE worst kept secret in football came out in the open last night as Chelsea confirmed they hope to appoint Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager.

Chelsea hope to appoint Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager, the Barclays Premier League club tonight confirmed.

Andre Villas-Boas looks set to be confirmed as the new Chelsea manager once Porto receive their €15m compensation.

Andre Villas-Boas has tendered his resignation as Porto coach and his contract will be terminated when the release clause is paid, the club have announced in a statement to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission.

CHELSEA remain confident a new manager will shortly be in place as Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas looks set to move to Stamford Bridge — but with Porto insisting as yet there has been no official offer to trigger his €15 million release clause.

BENFICA last night confirmed they have reached an agreement to sell Ramires to Chelsea for £18.2 million (€22m), subject to the midfielder passing a medical.

Benfica have tonight confirmed that they have reached an agreement to sell Ramires to Chelsea for €22m (£18.2m), subject to the midfielder passing a medical.