Chelsea set to sign Bosingwa May 12 2008
Chelsea have made their first moves to regain the Premier League title by agreeing a deal with Porto defender Jose Bosingwa.
The Blues were pipped to the championship crown by Manchester United, who have now won back-to-back titles after finishing two points ahead of their UEFA Champions League final opponents.
But the Londoners have stolen a march on their rivals by agreeing a £16.2million fee with the Portuguese champions for United target Bosingwa.
The 25-year-old right-back, along with his agent Jorge Mendes, flew to West London for talks and a medical after the Dragons gave the English giants permission to discuss personal terms with the player.
Chelsea issued a statement on their official club website confirming the transfer of the Portuguese international was close to completion.
It read: "Chelsea can confirm it has reached agreement with FC Porto for the transfer of Jose Bosingwa.
"The player is now in England to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical."
Porto had earlier confirmed the deal in a statement to the Portuguese Stock Exchange which read: "We inform the market that we have an understanding with Chelsea for the rights to our player Jose Bosingwa for the price of 20.5million euros.
"More information on the relative agreement of the transfer will be legalised once the player concludes the medical examinations that he is now having with the permission of Porto football club."
Boswinga, who has spent five years at Porto, is expected to sign a five-year contract and will link up with former team-mates and compatriots Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferriera at Stamford Bridge.
He will bring valuable Champions League experience to Grant's squad and will challenge Ferreira for the right-back berth, with Julian Belletti likely to move on in the summer.