Jul 24, 2012 02:14 AM EDT
Chelsea Transfer News: Oscar Closes In On "Dream Move"

Only a work permit remains to be finalised as Oscar closes in on a "dream move" to Chelsea.

Internacional president Giovanni Luigi claimed there was a verbal agreement already in place with Chelsea over the transfer of the highly-rated Brazilian international, with several reports in Brazil suggesting a deal would be sealed by Friday.

Now Luigi revealed on Monday, a move was at a "very advanced stage". "The situation is very advanced, but not finalised yet," Luigi told Terra.

"Oscar has to get his work permit. He needs to have a certain amount of caps to play in England, but I don't believe that will be a problem."

Luigi refused to confirm the transfer fee, but said Chelsea had also agreed to pay a cut of the amount to Oscar's former club Sao Paulo. "I won't confirm the value, but I can guarantee it wasn't in pounds. No cross-border negotiation is made in pounds. It's either euros or dollars.

"I have also reached an agreement with Sao Paulo over their part. It's Chelsea that will pay that, not Internacional."

Oscar, meanwhile, said it would be an honor to join "one of the greatest teams in Europe." The Brazilian is with the Olympic squad in London and is gunning for the title. "Like all the team, I am totally focused on winning the gold medal," he is quoted as saying on Sky Sports.

"They (his agent and advisors) are sorting those other things out for me, and keeping me informed. I just focus on playing here and on growing and becoming better.

"If I go to Chelsea it will be a dream come true. They are one of the greatest teams in Europe. I am confident I will have a good Olympics and, if I go to Chelsea, I will arrive feeling good."

Oscar, who will wear the famous No 10 shirt for Brazil in London, is confident of cutting it in the English Premier League, but admitted his priority for the time being was the Olympics. "I am confident in my ability.

"If I go, I will just keep on doing what I have been doing at Internacional, which is working hard to improve all the time.

"But I am not really even thinking about much, I am just focused on the Olympic Games.

"I have always worn the No 10 shirt when I played at lower levels and, obviously, my reference point was always Pele and then Ronaldinho.

"I am proud to follow in their footsteps and hope I will be worthy of it."

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