Chelsea close to deal on Maniche

[Mac 10 †]

Chelsea close to deal on Maniche   
 
Chelsea are close to signing Dynamo Moscow's Portugal international midfielder Maniche.
 
Maniche is expected to link up again with Jose Mourinho, whom he played under at Benfica and Porto.

The 28-year-old could join on loan until the end of the season, when Chelsea will have a £5m option to buy.

Dynamo sports director Boris Ignatiev said: "Talks with Chelsea are continuing but we're in the last parts of negotiations."

Mourinho would see Maniche as ideal cover for Michael Essien, who is set to miss at least three games while on duty for Ghana in the African Nations Cup.

The Chelsea boss is an admirer of Maniche, and made him captain at Benfica, before the two were re-united at Porto where they won the Uefa Cup and the Champions League.

Maniche is also full of admiration for Mourinho's coaching abilities.

The Portugal international said last year: "He's the best coach I've worked under.

"He became more of a friend than a boss and I've never seen that kind of closeness from another coach in all the years I've been a footballer."