Chelsea believe they have won the race to sign attacking midfielder Willian, hijacking Tottenham's deal for the Anzhi Mackhahkala attacking midfielder.
The Blues have agreed terms with Anzhi and will pay around £32million with the player set for a medical and to agree personal terms over the weekend, ending a two-year pursuit of the player by the club.
When Jose Mourinho was asked if the Brazilian had chosen Chelsea during his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday's clash with Manchester United, the Portuguese nodded.
Happy One: Mourinho believes he has beaten Tottenham in the race to sign Willien
Plotting: Willien had already passed a medical at Tottenham before Chelsea swooped
'He's already made his decision,' said Mourinho. 'I don’t like to speak before time because football can betray you..
'But I know what the player wants and at the moment we cannot hide that it’s a possibility.'
Willian had already completed a medical and finalised terms with Spurs, but has chosen to join Oscar, David Luiz and Ramires at Chelsea after they came in at the 11th hours to scupper London rivals Spurs.
Snubbed: Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas was close to signing Willian, but the Brazilian chose Chelsea
Thorn? Spurs losing Willian could dealy Gareth Bale's world record move to Real Madrid
The news is expected to delay Gareth Bale's transfer to Real Madrid while Spurs look for a replacement.
'The best thing to do is to do the medical in secret. If the player is fine you can sign him. If he is not fine, you don’t destroy his career and you can protect the situation,' Mourinho said.
'After that you sign a contract and you say it’s done. Sometimes I realise you guys have great sources and find something out.'
Then, when asked if the deal was close, Mourinho laughed: 'We have to do a medical.'
On the way out? The news casts doubt over the future of Victor Moses and Juan Mata (below)
However, with Willian's imminent arrival creating an embarrassment of riches in Chelsea's attacking midfield, the Blues manager admitted there will be departures from Stamford Bridge.
'The point is not to sell. I want a 22-player squad. If somebody comes somebody leaves. Do we need to sell, no. Do we need to loan, probably yes.
'I think 22 is a perfect number for our needs in different competitions and to leave the door open to a few kids to come up. If somebody comes in somebody will leave.'
Last summer's signing from Wigan, Victor Moses, has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, while the arrival also puts a further question on the role of Juan Mata.
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Steadfast: United boss David Moyes, facing Chelsea on Monday, is insistent they will not sell Rooney
Behind the wheel: Rooney leaving United's Carrington training ground on Friday
Mata missed most of the club's pre-season tour due to involvement in the Confederations Cup for Spain, and played 65 minutes against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Despite winning Chelsea's Player of the Year award for the last two seasons since his arrival from Valencia, the Spaniard has also been linked with a move away.
However, Mourinho insisted he intends on keeping the playmaker, saying: 'He is a player we all like and want to keep. We want more quality in the team, not less. We want to add quality to what we have. Juan is not a player we want to lose.'
Doubt: David Luiz could well sit out Chelsea's clash at Old Trafford with a hamstring injury
Ahead of the clash with United on Monday, Mourinho admitted defender David Luiz was a doubt through injury.
WIllian's compatriot has not featured so far for Chelsea this season, sitting out with a hamstring injury and training alone.
If Luiz missed the Old Trafford clash, he could feature for the Europa League winners in next Friday's UEFA Super Cup encounter with European champions Bayern Munich in Prague
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