Source: Daily_Mail
Andres Villas-Boas set for Chelsea
ShareChelsea are reported to be closing in on a sensational deal to appoint Andres Villas-Boas.[LNB]The Porto manager has a ?13.2million release clause in his contract, which Blues owner Roman Abramovich is believed to be ready to activate.[LNB]Reports in Portugal suggest Villas-Boas is now on his way to London to discuss taking over from sacked Carlo Ancelotti.[LNB] In demand: Villas-Boas is jetting into London after Chelsea agreed to match the ?13m buyout clause in his contract[LNB]The 33-year-old is widely regarded asthe next Jose Mourinho given the similarities in his incredible rise with Porto. Villas-Boas also worked in Mourinho's backroom team during his spell at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]Reports first surfaced this morning in the Portuguese reports, where A Bola also claimed in-demand striker Radamel Falcao would follow Villas-Boas to west London. [LNB]Should that deal materialise, it would bear a striking ressemblance to Mourinho's switch after he too brought with him Porto's star attraction, Ricardo Carvalho.[LNB]Colombian striker Falcao has been heavilly linked with Tottenham and Arsenal and is valued at around ?26m.[LNB] Up in the air: The 33-year-old led Porto to a domestic and Europa League double this season [LNB]Inter Milan were also interested in luring Villas-Boas but they have refused to pay his huge release fee.[LNB]Porto president Pinta da Costa has already admitted he is resigned to eventually losing his star manager.[LNB]He said: 'Villas-Boas has a contract and a clause of €15m. If someone deposits €15million into our account and he wants to go, we can not do anything because it is something that is contractually specified.'[LNB] Lessons from the top: Villa-Boas learned from Jose Mourinho and is set to do the same from Guus Hiddink[LNB] It is not yet clear whether Villas-Boas, who is set to earn around ?5m a year (the same as Mourinho did at Chelsea), has been targeted to work alongside Guus Hiddink, who has been at the centre of a tug-of-war between Chelsea and his current employers Turkey.[LNB]However, Hiddink may well assume a sporting director role with Villas-Boas in charge of coaching and team selection at the Barclays Premier League runners-up.[LNB] Villas-Boas is committed! Porto president issues hands-off warningPatrick Collins: Why bother with a new manager, Roman, when you really want the job yourself?Hiddink about to bring Chelsea return closer as Blues look to tempt Arsenal scoutAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Roman Abramovich, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti Places: London, Portugal, Turkey
