Reunion: Carvalho will team up with Mourinho again
Carvalho has agreed a two-year deal at the Bernabeu -
having said he would swim to Spain to sign for Mourinho - with an
option for a further year and he becomes the club’s fifth signing
this summer.
Chelsea have been far less active in terms of arrivals but with
Carvalho now joining Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti
and Deco in leaving the club there is the sense that an era has
ended.
Ancelotti has signed Yossi Benayoun and a deal is in place to
acquire the Brazilian international Ramires from Benfica for 22
million euros - the midfielder has already undergone a medical -
while there remains the possibility of a defender, a right-back,
and a striker being acquired before the transfer window closes at
the end of the month.
But the Italian will be alarmed to hear Real boss Jose Mourinho
still wants Ashley Cole. The former Chelsea manager's recent claims
that he was about to end his interest in Cole after Ancelotti
insisted the England left back was not for sale are likely to be
taken with a pinch of salt, given the Real manager also stated he
did not want to sign Carvalho.
And unlike Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, and
Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal, Cole has yet to offer a public pledge of
allegiance to Chelsea.
From Red to Blue? Benfica defender David Luiz could be on his
way to Chelsea
Chelsea are ready to step up their pursuit of Benfica
defender David Luiz after agreeing to sell Ricardo Carvalho to Real
Madrid for £6.7million.
Carvalho's move on a two-year deal means Stamford Bridge boss
Carlo Ancelotti is free to sign another foreign player under new
Premier League rules and, as revealed by Sportsmail last month, he
is ready to splash out £27m on 23-year-old Luiz.
Chelsea, however, will face competition from Manchester City for
the Brazil defender who is on international duty ahead of Wednesday
night's friendly against the United States.
If the London club are successful in their pursuit of Luiz he
will be reunited with former Benfica team-mate Ramires.
The Brazil midfielder had a medical on Saturday and an £18m fee
has been agreed. Ramires now needs a work permit for his move to be
completed.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been rebuffed in their approach for
Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, 23.