Chelsea To Add To Brazilian Contingent with £8m Bid for Defender

Chelsea have launched an effort to bring 18-year-old defender Doria to Stamford Bridge as the club look to secure another of Brazil's brightest talents.

The centre half, who currently plies his trade with Botafogo, has already caught the eye of clubs around Europe including the Blues' London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, who were credited with interest earlier in the summer.

But Brazilian outlet Lancenet report Chelsea have jumped to the front of the queue with an offer that will appease the defender's club in addition to the various third parties that own a percentage of the player's rights.

It is reported that Chelsea will pay Botafogo £3.4m for their share of Doria's playing rights, with a further £4.6m to be paid to the investment groups who have financially backed the teenager. Chelsea have set a deadline of Friday night for the Brazilian club and the respective third parties involved to respond to their offer.

Juventus and Barcelona have also been mentioned as possible moves for Doria, but Stamford Bridge would appear to be his most likely destination after Brazil, where he would not be short of compatriots to help him settle into to life at the club.

Jose Mourinho's side already accommodate three regular starters in the seleção in David Luiz, Ramires and Oscar. The club also have young hopefuls Lucas Piazon and Wallace waiting in the wings, although the Blues' manager has already indicated the duo will be sent out on loan for next season.

Piazon, who arrived at the club for a fee that could eventually rise to £10m, spent the second half of last season on loan at Malaga but has been linked with a loan move to Liverpool this campaign. Wallace, who was signed from Fluminense in January, has not yet earned a work permit to play in England however, with a loan move to Serie A giants Roma a likely destination.