Blues to take up Alex option
Jose Mourinho adds cover for John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho
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Monday, 30, Jul 2007 10:07
Chelsea look set to add Brazilian defender Alex to the Stamford Bridge set-up after applying for a work permit for the player.
The 25-year-old is already owned by the Blues, but difficulty in gaining the necessary paperwork has kept him on loan at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven since he was signed from Santos in 2004.
His reputation has grown during his time in the Eredivisie where his strength and height have made him the dominant figure at the heart of a team that has won the league for three consecutive years.
Chelsea decided not to attempt to recall his loan, despite a spate of defensive injuries that caused their own title bid to wobble over Christmas.
This sparked rumours that manager Jose Mourinho had doubts about the centre-back.
But any such qualms appear to have been resolved and Chelsea are confident that they can convince the Home Office to rubberstamp his arrival.
"We are in the process of applying for a permit. At immigration there was a request to clarify Alex's current status," a club statement read.
"All of the paperwork was in order and was cleared to enter the country. He chose voluntarily to fly back [to Brazil] but will return when necessary."
Although he was part of Brazil's Copa America-winning squad this summer, Alex falls below the required 75 per cent of international games that a player must represent his country in during the two years prior to his switch to the English game.
Chelsea's lawyers will now attempt to persuade the government that the exceptional strength of the Brazil side means the rules can be relaxed in this case.