Chelsea close on Belletti

Belletti: Talking with Chelsea

Chelsea appear to have switched their attentions away from Daniel Alves, as they look set to clinch a deal for his fellow countryman Juliano Belletti.

Jose Mourinho wants a new right-back and Brazilian Alves was his No.1 target, but after weeks of talks Chelsea have failed to broker a deal with Sevilla.

At one point Chelsea are believed to have offered over £20million for Alves, but Sevilla refused to accept - and now Mourinho has been forced to look elsewhere.

Options

Roma-bound Cicinho was one player under consideration, but he now looks to have decided that Belletti is the man to solve his issues on the right of his defence.

Glen Johnson was expected to push Paulo Ferreira this season, following his return from an impressive season-long stint at Portsmouth, but Mourinho remains far from convinced by either of his current options and at Liverpool on Sunday even opted to play Michael Essien at right-back.

Belletti now looks set to solve Mourinho's problems by shunning interest form Newcastle and sealing a move to Stamford Bridge.

The 31-year-old, who has sunk down the Barcelona pecking order over the past 12 months, is reported to be in London undergoing a medical before penning a deal with Chelsea.