Brazilian striker Neymar close to signing for Chelsea

The Premier League champions’ chief scout, Michael Emenalo — who has emerged as an increasingly important figure in identifying transfer targets in recent months — was in New Jersey to watch the 18 year-old star for his country in their 2-0 victory over the United States.

Emanelo was accompanied by agent Pini Zahavi who has been brokering a deal with Neymar’s club Santos who turned down an offer from Chelsea for the player earlier this summer — thought to be around £17 million — and insisted that they would only agree to the transfer if his buy-out clause of £29.6 million was triggered.

Chelsea will still not bid that high for Neymar but there is a growing sense from those close to the negotiations that because the club are now willing to bid closer to that figure they can finally secure the deal.

Neymar was also linked with a move to West Ham United, who had a £12 million bid rejected, but the club has backed off because of Chelsea’s interest.

Despite his undoubted talent — he scored against the US and there was a strong lobby for his inclusion in the World Cup squad as he overshadowed Robinho in the run-up to the tournament — there is a concern as to whether he will be able to deal with the physical demands of the Premier League.

However, Chelsea have been tracking Neymar for two years and are keen to add him to their squad along with another Brazilian, Ramires, who also played for his country at the Meadowlands Stadium earlier this week, and whose £18 million move from Benfica should be completed by Friday.

The midfielder has already agreed personal terms and undergone a medical and is due to arrive in London on Thursday for the paperwork to be completed. His arrival will put severe pressure on John Obi Mikel’s first-team place especially as Michael Essien has returned to fitness.

A third Brazilian also remains a target for Chelsea who have long held an interest in the highly-rated defender David Luiz. The 23-year-old was also in the Brazil squad selected by the country’s new coach, Mano Menezes, and is available for around £30 million. That fee, although high, is not believed to be prohibitive to Chelsea although there is a reluctance at Benfica to sell Luiz, who has also been the subject of a bid from Manchester City, this summer.

If Chelsea acquire Neymar it will be a strong statement from owner Roman Abramovich that the club remain in the market for the world’s best young talent. During the World Cup Abramovich let it be known that he was strongly interested in signing Fernando Torres, and was given encouragement from the Spain striker’s camp that he may want to move on, before the player eventually committed himself to Liverpool following the appointment of new manager Roy Hodgson.

So far this summer Chelsea have only completed the signing of Yossi Benayoun, from Liverpool, for under £6 million but there has been a clear-out of older players — and youngster Scott Sinclair — as manager Carlo Ancelotti creates more room within his squad. A move for Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has been rebuffed.

Joe Cole and Michael Ballack — two high earners were released — while two more of the club’s better-paid players, Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, have also since departed with the latter’s move to Real Madrid close to being completed. Chelsea also released Juliano Belletti while sources believe Ashley Cole’s future is still to be fully resolved despite the club’s insistence that he is not leaving.

Chelsea have registered an interest in the Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil — as have Manchester United — but he is not thought to be a priority right now.