Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis is in London today as Chelsea close in on his £20million signature, Football Express News understands.
A source close to Stamford Bridge told FEN the left-back is on the verge of joining the Blues on a long-term deal and is expected to put the finishing touches to his switch, with a medical planned for the end of the week.
He has travelled to the capital following a rapid deterioration in his working relationship with the La Liga champions, who made him train with the reserves when he expressed his desire to leave the club.
The 28-year-old is seen as a natural replacement for ex-England international Ashley Cole, who brought down the curtain on a trophy-laden, eight-year stint with Chelsea when he left on a free transfer last month.
Veteran Cole has since joined Serie A heavyweights Roma.
Chelsea are said to have met the buy-out clause Atletico demanded for Luis following several weeks of negotiations which came close to breaking down on more than one occasion.
He looks certain to follow in the footsteps of Spain striker Diego Costa, who moved from Atletico to Chelsea earlier on in the summer.
The Champions League runners-up have wasted no time in filling the void which will be left by the Brazilian, having snapped up Guilherme Siquiera from Granada.