Chelsea close to agreeing deal for Brazilian striker

Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Metalist Kharkiv striker Taison, according to sources in Brazil.

New Blues boss Rafa Benitez has just two senior strikers at his disposal - Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge - and is keen to boost his attacking options.

Taison, who attracted attention earlier this month when he struck a superb Marco van Basten-esque volley against Rosenborg in the Europa League, has scored 20 goals since moving to the Ukrainian team in 2010.

According to Globo Esporte, the Brazilian is in London at the moment after Metalist gave him permission to talk to Chelsea.

The £12m-rated 24-year-old was considered as an alternative to Hulk in the summer, but Chelsea opted against signing him even after the former Porto man joined Zenit St Petersburg.

But the European champions have reprised their interest in Taison and are looking to seal a deal as soon as possible.