Blues set to wrap up Ramires swoop

Chelsea are today expected to wrap up a deal with Benfica for Brazil international Ramires, after agreeing a fee of €22m for the midfielder yesterday.

The 23-year-old will fly into London today to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with the Barclays Premier League champions.

Ramires, who has won 16 caps for Brazil, played at the World Cup and sources close to the deal are confident that obtaining a work permit would not be a problem.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti targeted Ramires as a replacement for German international Michael Ballack who was released, along with Joe Cole, earlier in the summer.

Ancelotti has already replaced Cole with Yossi Benayoun, who he believes to be a smarter footballer than the England international.

Chelsea will hope the deal for Ramires is finalised before Sunday’s Community Shield showpiece against Manchester United at Wembley.