Fluminense right-back Wallace Oliveira dos Santos is on the verge of moving to European champions Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £4.4 million, according to the club’s manager Abel Braga.
If Chelsea reach an agreement with Fluminense, Wallace is expected to stay at the Brazilian club on loan for the remainder of the season.
The Blues were granted ‘first option’ and a 40% stake in Wallace following Deco’s free transfer to the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange in August 2010.
Wallace, 18, has attracted the interest of Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus, according to Fluminense boss Abel Braga.
“Wallace has been negotiated for a long time. He is a player that has impressed. Do you think people abroad sign someone based on one game?” Braga told Terra.
“They watch a player for two, three months – sometimes even a year. They are taking a great player and Fluminense are completely right in selling him.”
Fluminense club director Rodrigo Caetano has insisted that ‘the deal’ is yet to be agreed upon, but he did reveal that the club are in ongoing talks with Chelsea, although the club’s have not formally exchanged documents.
The ongoing negotiations are protected by a non-disclosure agreement clause, which may prevent a deal if any information is leaked during the talks.
Wallace has made 16 league appearances (10 starts) for the Brazilian giants this season, netting one goal and accumulating four yellow cards as well as one red card.
Adebayor is not for sale
Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that he is not going to sell or loan out striker Emmanuel Adebayor when the transfer window re-opens in January, despite contrary reports linking him with a move away from White Hart Lane, Sky Sports understands.
Adebayor, who bagged 17 goals and 11 assists in 33 English Premier League appearances under Harry Redknapp, has played second fiddle to Jermain Defoe this season.
In fact, Adebayor has yet to start a game for Spurs in 2012-13, but AVB recently reported that injuries have prevented the Togo forward from starting the game on the pitch, as opposed to on the bench.
“Certainly there is no interest in selling or loaning Adebayor,” said Villas-Boas.
“We brought him in this season, unfortunately for him it hasn’t been working out in terms of injuries.
“We have full belief in Adebayor, he is one of the greatest strikers in the world. Sooner or later he is going to be back in the squad.”
While Adebayor has been out injured, Defoe has tallied five goals and two assists in 10 league starts for Spurs this season.
Now then, should Defoe retain his place in Andre Villas-Boas’ first XI when Adebayor reaches full fitness?
I would certainly say so, but AVB has the final say, and that could be trouble for Adebayor.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
