Flamengo hope to clinch a deal to sign Juliano Belletti from
Chelsea before the end of the week.
Heading off: Juliano Belletti is set to join
Flamengo
The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and
the Brazilian champions want him on a free transfer for the start
of the Copa Libertadores - South America's equivalent of the
Champions League - which they kick off next month.
Flamengo will offer Belletti a two-year deal.
The versatile Brazil international has played a bit-part this
season but has proved useful while the likes of John Mikel Obi and
Michael Essien have been on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Flamengo are confident of a deal, but may have to wait till the
end of the month, and Belletti last night warned: 'The offer is
surprising to me because Chelsea have not said they will release me
in January.'
