Chelse Manager Carlo Ancelotti Hopeful Of Sealing £18 Million Swoop For Benfica Midfielder Ramires

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he has 'hope' that an £18 million deal will be concluded to sign Brazil midfielder Ramires.

Ramires, 23, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge to fill the void left by Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and the impending departure of Deco. Benfica have admitted the deal is out of their hands after 80 per cent of the players' right were sold to a third party and he is reported to have arrived in London for a medical.

Speaking to the club's official website, Ancelotti insisted a deal hadn't been sealed yet but was optimstic it was impending.

He said: "I don't know, I will speak about Ramires when Ramires will be a Chelsea player.

"Until now he is not a Chelsea player, we hope, but until now nothing is decided."