Chelsea close on Maniche

Chelsea have agreed a deal for Nuno Maniche, according to Portuguese sources.

La Liga giants Atletico Madrid looked to have won the race for Maniche - who is unsettled at Dinamo Moscow and looks almost certain to quit the club in January just six months after joining them.

However, Chelsea now look to have stepped in a struck a quick deal with both Maniche and Dinamo.

Manchester United were also thought to be in the running, but they have other priorities in Russia -with Nemanja Vidic of Spartak Moscow looking likely to move to Old Trafford in the next week.

Maniche is an especially attractive option for Jose Mourinho as he is available for Europe, but the Chelsea boss also knows him well from their time together at Porto and will have no qualms about adding him to his Stamford Bridge squad.

Portuguese reports claim that Maniche will complete his move in mid-January, giving him time to overcome an injury he is currently struggling with.