Chelsea (11/8 favourites in the Premier League outright betting) are reportedly closing in on a deal, thought to be around £17m, to sign Brazil midfielder Ramires, although the move is complicated by the fact Benfica do not own the player outright.

The 23-year-old, who played at this summer’s World Cup, missed the Portuguese club’s friendly win over Aston Villa on Sunday as talks are ongoing, although he is reported to be set for a medical at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is looking to bolster his midfield after Joe Cole and Michael Ballack left the club in the summer, while Deco is close to a move back to his native Brazil.

Ramires had impressed Brazil coach Dunga as the five-time winners progressed through the competition, but the right-sided midfielder was suspended for the quarter-final defeat to Netherlands.

What is complicating the move though is the fact that Benfica have sold 80 percent third-party ownership to a number of investors, although club president Luis Felipe Vieira is confident a deal can be worked out.

“Ramires staying at Benfica does not depend solely on us. There is a partnership and we must respect it,” he told The Sun.

“If there is a good proposal we will do everything we can to make it work for us. We are prepared for all eventualities and have options to fill all the positions.”