Chelsea seal Ramires deal

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.

The deal will be completed once Ramires undergoes a medical and pens a contract with the Premier League champions, something which is expected to take place in the coming days.

The 23-year-old will become the second addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad following the arrival of Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool.

Benfica announced the deal with a statement on the website of the Portuguese Securities Market Commission.

Ramires joined the Portuguese giants last summer from Cruzeiro, in his homeland, penning a five-year contract with a release clause of €30m.

There had been fears the deal could hit a stumbling block over third-party ownership.