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Qwerty · 05-11-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Chelsea close in on Porto defender Jose Bosingwa.

Chelsea are close to a deal to sign Jose Bosingwa from Porto for a fee in the region of €20million (£15.8million). Bosingwa is a fast, overlapping right-back who has broken into the Portugal side in recent seasons and would be expected to replace Paulo Ferreira, his fellow countryman, as the first choice at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa have been tracking Bosingwa, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A deal could be announced on Monday, according to reports in Portugal. Bosingwa, 25, is expected to be offered a four or five-year contract.

Porto have been holding out for money because 20 per cent of the transfer fee needs to be paid to Rui Neno, an agent who owns a share of the player’s economic rights. Chelsea will need to take full control of the player to adhere to new Premier League rules against third-party ownership.

Bosingwa will play for Portugal in the European Championships next month, but was born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He moved to Seia in central Portugal when he was young. He began his career mainly playing in midfield for Boavista, for whom he made more than 40 appearances. He also played as a right-back, winger and defensive midfield player.

He moved to FC Porto in 2003, where he played under Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager. He was an unused substitute when FC Porto defeated Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League Final in 2004. He has been the club’s first choice right back for the past three seasons.

Three years ago, Bosingwa was involved in a serious car accident when his jeep skidded off the motorway and rolled down an embankment before bursting into flames. He was with four other players at the time, but all escaped alive. However, Sandro Luis had to have his left foot amputated as a result of the accident.