Scolari gets £108m war chest for the ultimate spending spree

zocoss SG

Luiz Felipe Scolari will be handed a massive £108million transfer budget to transform Chelsea into the world’s greatest football team. The Brazilian, who starts his £6million-a-year job at Stamford Bridge on 1 July, has already begun drawing up a shopping list of the game’s top stars.

Backed by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s millions, Scolari looks certain to move for £10m-rated Barcelona star Deco, who has thrived during his time under the Portugal coach.

Other targets are likely to include Valencia’s David Villa at £32m, AC Milan’s Kaka at £50m and Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o at £16m. But Scolari will also be focused on keeping Chelsea’s top players and will start by convincing defender Ricardo Carvalho to sign a new deal.

Scolari has enjoyed a great relationship with the 30-year-old during his five years with Portugal and a contract worth £100,000-a week is understood to be waiting when he returns from Euro 2008.

youyayu SG

villa LOL

sand king SG

Last time chelsea ruled by italians, now going to be brazilian? haha

I-like-flings(m) SG

this guy is more special than the special one leh... dun pray pray ar....man u will have major problem with chelsea next yr

iceFatboy SG

mufc won't have the portugese's advantage anymore...

KrU SG

Hmm will he persuade Ronaldo to join Chelsea?

reyes SG

i think he will be sack in 2 season.

i dont think deco can replace lampard.

i hope carvalho move to inter. that will create the biggest problem for chelsea.

sebosebo SG

yat-leng-fat wor...such an auspicious number

gunner77 SG

Hmm will he persuade Ronaldo to join Chelsea?

i wouldn't rule out tis possibility.

4getmenot SG

i wouldn't rule out tis possibility.

nope the old wily fox asked ronaldo to move to marid instead...now we know the reason why he doesn't want Ronaldo in the EPL..... xD

zocoss SG

Barcelona could be about to sell Portuguese midfielder Deco and Cameroon international striker Samuel Eto'o to Chelsea for a total of £43 million, according to Spanish sports daily Marca. "Barcelona is on the way to sealing a double deal with Chelsea to sell the two players for €55 million," the newpaper said today as rumours spread about new manager Luis Felipe Scolari's first signings.

Marca reported that Chelsea's signing of Scolari, currently manager of the Portuguese national team, was the determining factor in Deco's decision to move to London and reject other offers, including one from Inter Milan.

Adding to the speculation was Deco's decision to return to Barcelona during a rest period given to the Portugal squad by Scolari following their early qualification for the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.

"Deco was authorised to travel to Barcelona for personal reasons," team spokesman Antonio Florencio said on Friday. When pressed as to whether the trip was related to media reports that Chelsea were interested in signing the player, he added: "I said personal, not professional reasons. He will be back for training this afternoon."

However, it was also suggested that Deco flew to Croatia yesterday where Roman Abramovich has a yacht moored in Dubrovnik. Meanwhile, Marca said Chelsea will face stiff competition for the services of Eto'o, with AC Milan and Inter Milan also interested in signing the 27-year-old.

A director of AC Milan, Umberto Gandini, said in Barcelona on Thursday that Eto'o was one of their priority transfer targets for next season.