Chelsea move for Ramires set to be delayed

It is looking increasingly unlikely that Chelsea will complete the signing of Brazilian midfielder Ramires in time for him to be considered for Saturday's Premier League opener against West Brom.

Ramires is heading for Stamford Bridge after Benfica and Chelsea agreed a fee, reported to be £18.2m, but paperwork for the transfer, including a work permit, has not yet been completed.

Ramires has now left London to play for Brazil against the United States in a friendly in New York and so the earliest he can return to England is Thursday evening - leaving little time for him to prepare for the new season.

Chelsea are confident the deal will eventually be completed without problems, despite early fears that a work permit may be difficult to obtain because the player has not played in 75 per cent of his country's matches over the last two years. But fans will almost certainly have to wait a little longer to see him.